Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

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Fatal Poisoning due to Co-ingestion of Benzodiazepines and Alcohol: A Case Report


Affiliations
1 Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, Division of Forensic Toxicology, University of Florence, Italy
2 Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, Division of Forensic Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
     

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Benzodiazepines are among the most frequently worldwide prescribed antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs because they are considered effective and safe drugs. Despite of this, acute ingestion of benzodiazepines combined with alcohol is responsible for several toxicological interactions that can have serious outcomes such as the central nervous system depression. The Authors outline a case report of a 57-year-old woman suffering from depression, found dead in her apartment. The cause of death was attributed to cardio-respiratory arrest due to co-ingestion of massive intake of alprazolam and ketazolam, molecules to benzodiazepines structure and alcohol. This brief communication has the aim to bring a further contribution to scientific literature about the effects of interaction between alcohol and benzodiazepines.

Keywords

Benzodiazepines, Alcohol, Poisoning, Depression
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  • Fatal Poisoning due to Co-ingestion of Benzodiazepines and Alcohol: A Case Report

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Authors

Francesco Mari
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, Division of Forensic Toxicology, University of Florence, Italy
Beatrice Defraia
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, Division of Forensic Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
Regina Rensi
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, Division of Forensic Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
Barbara Gualco
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, Division of Forensic Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
Fabio Vaiano
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, Division of Forensic Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
Elisabetta Bertol
Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, Division of Forensic Toxicology, University of Florence, Italy

Abstract


Benzodiazepines are among the most frequently worldwide prescribed antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs because they are considered effective and safe drugs. Despite of this, acute ingestion of benzodiazepines combined with alcohol is responsible for several toxicological interactions that can have serious outcomes such as the central nervous system depression. The Authors outline a case report of a 57-year-old woman suffering from depression, found dead in her apartment. The cause of death was attributed to cardio-respiratory arrest due to co-ingestion of massive intake of alprazolam and ketazolam, molecules to benzodiazepines structure and alcohol. This brief communication has the aim to bring a further contribution to scientific literature about the effects of interaction between alcohol and benzodiazepines.

Keywords


Benzodiazepines, Alcohol, Poisoning, Depression

References