ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We report two cases of drug-facilitated sexual assault which presented with CNS depression rendering the victims vulnerable to sexual assault and unable to recall the events surrounding the crimes. In each tetrahydrozoline (THZ) was quantified. CASE REPORT: Case #1 ingested an unknown amount of eye drops containing THZ mixed with alcoholic beverages. Case #1 presented to the emergency department (ED) approximately 7h after reportedly being sexually assaulted and was without symptoms in the ED. Earlier reports from individuals who saw her indicated the victim to be "heavily intoxicated". Case #2 also ingested an unknown amount of eye drops containing THZ mixed with alcoholic beverages. Case #2 presented to an ED without symptoms approximately 23h after reportedly being sexually assaulted. Urine obtained from both cases was assessed for THZ concentrations using gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. CASE DISCUSSION: Case #1 had a 0.15g% (by weight by volume) urine ethanol concentration and a urinary THZ concentration of 1.481ng/ml, approximately 7h after ingestion. Case #2 was negative for ethanol but had a urine THZ concentration of 108ng/ml at 23h post-ingestion. Few case reports have been published documenting the use of THZ to facilitate sexual assault. CONCLUSION: We report two cases of drug-facilitated sexual assault involving the use of THZ where alcoholic beverages were concomitantly consumed. This is the first paper to our knowledge which discusses pharmacology of THZ ingestion and the significance of alcohol being present.
Subject(s)
Alcoholic Beverages , Central Nervous System Depressants/adverse effects , Imidazoles/adverse effects , Rape , Adolescent , Adult , Alcohol Drinking , Central Nervous System Depressants/administration & dosage , Central Nervous System Depressants/urine , Ethanol/urine , Female , Forensic Toxicology , Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry , Humans , Imidazoles/administration & dosage , Imidazoles/urine , Ophthalmic Solutions/administration & dosage , Ophthalmic Solutions/chemistry , Young AdultABSTRACT
A case of suspected drug-impaired driving involving self-administration of xylazine (Xyla-Ject), a veterinary tranquilizing agent, and paroxetine is presented. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of xylazine and paroxetine were performed by gas chromatography with a flame-ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Whole blood xylazine and paroxetine concentrations were 0.57 and 0.02 microg/ml, respectively.
Subject(s)
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists/adverse effects , Automobile Driving , Psychomotor Performance/drug effects , Self Medication , Xylazine/adverse effects , Adrenergic alpha-Agonists/administration & dosage , Adrenergic alpha-Agonists/blood , Adrenergic alpha-Agonists/chemistry , Adult , Humans , Male , Molecular Structure , Paroxetine/administration & dosage , Paroxetine/adverse effects , Paroxetine/blood , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/adverse effects , Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/blood , Xylazine/administration & dosage , Xylazine/blood , Xylazine/chemistryABSTRACT
Zaleplon, a sedative-hypnotic, was identified in the blood of a subject arrested for impaired driving. Symptoms reported were those of central nervous system (CNS) depression. The zaleplon concentration was determined to be 0.13 microg/mL. Symptoms included slow movements and reactions, poor coordination, and lack of balance. Although no quantitative relationship between blood concentrations and degree of driving impairment is currently possible, it is reasonable to conclude that because of its specific activity as a sedative-hypnotic, blood concentrations consistent with doses exceeding therapeutic concentrations of zaleplon have the potential to cause impairment of psychomotor function, and would impair a person's level of consciousness and driving ability.
Subject(s)
Acetamides/adverse effects , Automobile Driving , Hypnotics and Sedatives/adverse effects , Psychomotor Performance/drug effects , Pyrimidines/adverse effects , Acetamides/blood , Acetamides/pharmacology , Adult , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Humans , Hypnotics and Sedatives/blood , Hypnotics and Sedatives/pharmacology , Male , Molecular Structure , Postural Balance/drug effects , Pyrimidines/blood , Pyrimidines/pharmacology , Reflex/drug effectsABSTRACT
The first case involving an alleged sexual assault linked to the use of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in Oklahoma is reported. A-48-year-old Caucasian woman taking amitriptyline was known to have voluntarily ingested a sports drink containing a relaxing health product. She purportedly experienced unconsciousness that persisted for approximately 4 h. The toxicological testing on urine identified GHB, amitriptyline, and nortriptyline using a capillary Hewlett-Packard 6890 gas chromatograph coupled to a Hewlett-Packard 5973 mass selective detector (MSD). The GHB concentration in urine was 26.9 microg/mL. Urine concentrations of amitriptyline and nortriptyline were not determined. The analytical method used for identifying and quantitating GHB can be applied to matters of forensic interests.
