The prevalence of dextropropoxyphene in autopsy blood samples

Abstract

The prevalence of dextropropoxyphene (DXP) in the total medico-legal autopsy material in Sweden during 1992 to 1996 was examined. Simultaneous findings of paracetamol and alcohol in the blood were considered in the analyses. DXP in peripheral blood was found in 1782 (7.5%) of the 23 691 cases analysed during 1992–1996. The autopsy prevalence of DXP increased by 25% from 1992 to 1996. The mean blood DXP concentration was 1.62 μg/g (the blood level of DXP after a therapeutic dose is 0.05–0.75 μg/g). The blood DXP level was <0.75 μg/g in 947 cases and ≥0.75 μg/g in 835 cases. The cases <50 years of age had a significantly higher mean concentration (2.36 μg/g) than those ≥50 years (1.04 μg/g). Paracetamol in the blood was found in 53% of the DXP cases (mean 75.0 μg/g; therapeutic level 2.5–25 μg/g) and alcohol in 43% (mean level 0.14%). According to the death certificates 54% (956) died from fatal poisoning. Among these, 74% (707) showed a blood DXP concentration ≥0.75 μg/g. Other Scandinavian countries, Denmark and Norway have reduced the rate of fatal DXP poisonings through government regulations for prescription. As the defined daily dose/1000 inhabitants during a 12-month period (DDD) of DXP preparations in Sweden (14.4 in 1996) is six times as high as in Denmark and nine times as high as in Norway, introduction of similar regulations in Sweden should be considered.