Diamorphine death

The blood concentration of free morphine as a metabolite of diamorphine also correlates well with the survival time, at least over 24 hours. Average blood concentrations of morphine observed in cases where death has occurred from circulatory shock and respiratory arrest less than 3 hours after administration are 3 to 10 times greater than those seen after deaths following prolonged coma (3 to 24 hours). 

The drug is called diamorphine and it is the drug of choice when treating patients dying of cancer. Not only does diamorphine reduce pain to acceptable levels, it also produces a euphoric effect which helps to counter the depression faced by patients close to death. Can we really condemn a drug which can do that as being all bad ... 

Neonate Incorrect dose -decimal point Given diamorphine 10 times the dose Death Not mentioned... 

Cardiovascular In 21 diamorphine-related deaths, myocarditis was found at autopsy [51 j. There was a fivefold increase in inflammatory cells in the myocardial inter-stitium. The effect of potential contaminants was unclear. 

He would administer lethal overdoses of diamorphine, then sign patients death certificates, and then forge medical records indicating they had been in poor health. 

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