Abstract
A scheme for drug identification in overdosed patients has been developed, using a combination of the techniques of extraction, thin layer and gas chromatography, ultra violet spectroscopy and colorimetry. 5 ml plasma and 50 ml urine or gastric aspirate is required for the full drug screen, which can be completed within 2 h. Fifty-three drugs are presently encompassed by the screen, and include analgesics, alcohols, antihistamines, anticonvulsants, barbiturates and related compounds, narcotics, phenothiazines, sedatives, tranquillizers and tricyclic antidepressants. 37% of analyses on 74 suspected overdose cases confirmed a provisional diagnosis and a further 47% clarified a general ‘drug overdose’ diagnosis. In 4 patients the results conflicted with the provisional diagnosis. Barbiturates were detected in 28% of the positive results and sedatives, tranquillizers or antidepressants in 39%. Analgesics accounted for a further 13% of the positive overdose screens. Many patients were found to have taken mixtures of drugs.
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