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Death Due to Apparent Intravenous Injection of Tapentadol

NCJ Number
243770
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2013 Pages: 288-291
Author(s)
Walter Kemp, M.D.; Scott Schlueter, B.S.; Elizabeth Smalley, M.S.
Date Published
January 2013
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This case report describes a 34-year-old male who died as the result of tapentadol toxicity.
Abstract
This case report describes a 34-year-old male who died as the result of tapentadol toxicity. This case apparently represents the first reported description of a death because of this drug. The toxicologic features of this case, namely concentrations of tapentadol in the femoral blood and heart blood, 1.05 and 3.20 mg/L, respectively, may assist other individuals in evaluating deaths where tapentadol concentration is a factor. Analysis of the blood based upon enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed no other substance of significance, only nicotine and cotinine, and the autopsy findings were consistent with an opiate-type drug overdose, and indicated no competing cause of death. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.