Death drug-related

Drugs related to PCP are known to alter the carotid sinus reflex. Mechanical stimulation of the carotid sinus in the neck normally results in a slowing of heart rate and a decrease in blood pressure. Carotid sinus stimulation, coupled with the effects of PCP on blood vessels, might result in a marked fall in the blood pressure that could lead, ultimately, to death. Individuals intoxicated with PCP may be at a higher risk to complications of carotid compression neck holds. Hence, additional cases would be expected to become medicolegal issues. 

Even though methadone treatment reduces the high mortality of intravenous addicts to about 30% of controls, a number of patients and non-patients still overdose on methadone itself (Vormefelde and Poser, 2000), although the availability of methadone itself does not appear to be linked to increases in drug-related deaths (Oliver, 2002). 

Vormefelde SV and Poser W (2000). How to count methadone-related deaths. Drug and Alcohol Review, 19(4), 469-470. 

One of the first compounds reported to inhibit 5-LO was the NSAID benox-aprofen (167) (reviewed in [405]). This drug (marketed by Lilly as Oraflex ) was effective in rheumatoid arthritis, but was withdrawn because of phototoxicity, liver toxicity and reports of drug-related deaths [406]. The typical NSAID anti-inflammatory profile of this compound was remarkable for its very weak seminal vesicle CO activity [407]. Additional in vivo activities were found for benoxaprofen which were not shared by other NSAIDs, particularly inhibition of leukocyte influx in the carrageenan sponge, carrageenan pleurisy, and rat Arthus pleurisy models monocytes were affected more than neutrophils [408-411]. More recently, benoxaprofen was reported to inhibit the adhesion of monocytes to endothelium [412]. 

So far as public safety is concerned, the fatalities due to fireworks in a typical year amount to fewer than 1 in 10 000 000 of the population. On the same terms, this statistic can be contrasted with deaths from infection in hospital (1996) 1000 road deaths (DoT, average 1995-96) 660 accidents in the home (average 1990s) 650 drug-related deaths ca. 2000 suicide 86 arson 14 and homicide 130 per 10000000 of the population. 

Propoxyphene products in excessive doses, either alone or in combination with other CNS depressants (including alcohol), are a major cause of drug-related deaths. Fatalities within the first hour of overdosage are not uncommon. In a survey... 

Drug-related deaths for Philadelphia metropolitan area... 

Bigwood CS Coehelho AJ (1990). Methadone and caries. British Dental Journal, 168, 231 Bird SM Hutchinson SJ (2003). Male drugs-related deaths in the fortnight after release from prison Scotland, 1996-99. Addiction, 98, 185-190... 

Farrell M Marsden J (2008). Acute risk of drug-related death among newly released prisoners in England and Wales. Addiction, 103, 251-5... 

For more than 25 years, TCAs were one of the leading causes of drug-related deaths, exceeded only by alcohol-drug combinations and heroin (427). The risk of fatality resulting from a TCA overdose has severely limited their use now that newer, safer antidepressants are available. Nevertheless, overdoses of these medications still occur. There is still no simple antidote for a TCA overdose. A TCA overdose produces a characteristic clinical picture consisting of the following ... 

Haddad PM, Anderson IM Antipsychotic-related QTC prolongation, torsade de pointes and sudden death. Drugs 2002 62 1649. [PMID 12109926]... 

Drug-related mortality (deaths directly attributable to drug consumption). 

Heparin is considered a hazardous drug, Heparin may be the leading cause of drug-related deaths in hospitalized patients who are relatively... 

Porter- J, and H. Jick Drug-related Deaths among Medical Inpatients." J. Amer. Med. Assn., 237. 879 (1977). 

I11 the therapy of deep venous thrombosis, heparin is commonly administered. This drug takes effect immediately to prevent further thrombus formation. However, heparin is regarded as a hazardous drug and possibly may be tlie leading cause of drug-related deaths 111 hospitalized patients who are relatively well. Usually administered intravenously, preferably by pump-dnven infusion at a constant rate rather than by intermittent injections, it sometimes may cause major bleeding, which is particularly hazardous if it is intracranial. The action of heparin can be terminated almost immediately by intravenous injection of protamine sulfate, but where there may be less urgency, vitamin Ki may be used. The vitamin preparation may be administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously. 

This recent work is a preliminary study to compare MISPE with classical SPE for determination of benzodiazepines from hair samples for forensic purposes. Benzodiazepines are common prescription tranquilizers. They have also been widely abused and have contributed to many drug-related deaths. 

A Florida physician is convicted of manslaughter for prescribing OxyContin to four patients who died after overdosing on the powerful drug. News reports assert that he is the first doctor ever convicted in the death of patients whose deaths were related to OxyContin use. 

The financial toll is enormous as well. The Office of National Dmg Control Policy estimated an economic loss due to illicit drugs of over 160 billion from the U.S. economy for the year 2000. This figure represented an increase of 5.8% annually between 1998 and 2000, and included 14.8 billion in healthcare costs and 110.4 billion in lost productivity from drug-related illness, incarceration, and death. 

Death resulting from inhalant use is more common in males. The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) monitors drug-related deaths as reported by medical examiners in 40 metropolitan areas. In 1999, medical examiners in these cities recorded 129 deaths from inhalants, a 25% increase over the 103 inhalant deaths recorded in 1998. Those who died in 1999 from inhalant use ranged from adolescents to adults age 55 and older, and were predominantly white. 

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