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Fatal fentanyl intoxication following excessive transdermal application
L E Edinboro1, A Poklis, D Trautman
1Department of Pathology, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|July 1, 1997
Summary
A fatal fentanyl intoxication case highlights the dangers of multiple transdermal patches. High fentanyl levels were found post-mortem, emphasizing caution with these potent pain relief patches.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Transdermal fentanyl patches are used for chronic pain management.
- Over-administration can lead to dangerous systemic fentanyl concentrations.
Observation:
- An 83-year-old female with terminal cancer was found deceased with three 100 mg/h fentanyl patches applied.
- Autopsy revealed advanced cancer and metastasis; toxicology confirmed high fentanyl levels in blood and organs.
Findings:
- The cause of death was determined to be fentanyl overdose.
- Fentanyl concentrations were significantly elevated across multiple tissues, including blood, brain, heart, kidney, and liver.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical need for caution in self-administering transdermal fentanyl, especially multiple patches.
- Physicians and patients must be aware of the risks of lethal overdose from improper use of potent opioid patches.