American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology 2007-03-01

Suicide by multidrug ingestion: hypothesis on the role played by the self-administration of activated charcoal.

D R Vantaggiato, N De Giovanni

Index: Am. J. Forensic Med. Pathol. 28(1) , 55-8, (2007)

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Abstract

A fatal suicidal ingestion of drugs, together with activated charcoal, is reported. The death occurred 31 hours after the self-administration. The autopsy revealed a large amount of gastric content that appeared to be a compact mass of black color. Toxicologic analyses showed the presence of toxic levels of desalkylflurazepam and trazodone; metamizole and pridinol were also detected. The obtained results supported the hypothesis of a death due to acute intoxication delayed by the self-administration of activated charcoal, which elimination was probably hindered by the action of pridinol.