An acute gabapentin fatality: a case report with postmortem concentrations

摘要: Gabapentin (GBP) (Neurontin®, Horizant®, Gralise®) is a widely prescribed medication used primarily for the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain. GBP has favorable adverse effect profile in therapeutic dosing with most common reported effects being dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, weight gain, peripheral edema. Even intentional self-poisonings, serious are rare. A 47-year-old female was found dead at work her daughter’s bottle 600 mg. There were 26 tablets missing decedent’s only known hydrocodone/acetaminophen. Following initial detection by an alkaline drug screen (GC-MS), analysis utilizing specific liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed elevated postmortem blood concentration 37 mg/L, central 32 mg/L, liver 26 mg/kg, vitreous gastric contents 6 mg. Screening volatiles, drugs abuse, compounds, acid/neutral compounds negative exception ibuprofen (<2 mg/L) detected blood. This report presents fatality that appears to be associated isolated acute ingestion.