Key result
Overlapping postmortem dextromethorphan concentrations between natural and non-natural deaths complicate interpretation.
Why the study?
Interpretation of postmortem dextromethorphan concentrations is difficult due to diverse circumstances of death and pharmacogenetic differences in metabolism involving CYP2D6.
Comparison
Natural deaths vs non-natural deaths with varying dextromethorphan concentrations
Design
Review of case data and literature
Authors
Loading...
Postmortem dextromethorphan levels require case-specific interpretation; leaves open CYP2D6-adjusted reference ranges for forensic use.
Postmortem dextromethorphan concentrations vary widely and require careful interpretation considering circumstances of death and pharmacogenetic differences in CYP2D6 metabolism.
Singer et al. (1998) conducted a review in Postmortem cases with dextromethorphan detected (n=28). Dextromethorphan was evaluated on Blood and liver dextromethorphan concentrations. Postmortem blood dextromethorphan concentrations ranged from 0.07-0.40 mg/L in natural deaths and 0.03-6.4 mg/L in non-natural deaths, complicating interpretation.
Synapse has enriched 4 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: