Concentrations of heroin, 06-monoacetylmorphine, and morphine in a lethal case following an oral heroin overdose

J Anal Toxicol. 1997 May-Jun;21(3):232-5. doi: 10.1093/jat/21.3.232.

Abstract

A case of lethal overdose by heroin ingestion is presented. The concentrations of drugs were measured several hours after death. Heroin, 06-monoacetylmorphine, and morphine were identified and quantitated in blood, urine, and gastrointestinal contents by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. Concentrations of heroin, 06-monoacetylmorphine, and morphine were 109, 168, and 1140 ng/mL, respectively, in blood and 17, 12, and 425 ng/g, respectively, in gastrointestinal content. In urine, however, only morphine was detected at 3650 ng/mL.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Calibration
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Drug Overdose
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Gastrointestinal Contents / chemistry
  • Heroin / analysis
  • Heroin / blood
  • Heroin / poisoning*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Morphine / analysis*
  • Morphine / blood
  • Morphine / urine
  • Morphine Derivatives / analysis*
  • Morphine Derivatives / blood
  • Narcotics / adverse effects
  • Narcotics / blood
  • Narcotics / poisoning*
  • Reference Standards
  • Substance-Related Disorders*

Substances

  • Morphine Derivatives
  • Narcotics
  • Heroin
  • Morphine
  • 6-O-monoacetylmorphine