Suicide due to cyclizine overdose.

Abstract

Cyclizine is an antihistamine with sedative effect used to treat motion sickness. A few studies have reported on cyclizine abuse among teenagers, and cyclizine abuse has been reported among opioid dependants receiving methadone, with the combination having been reported to produce strong psychoactive effects. Few reports exist on the possible toxic effects of cyclizine, and it is regarded as a safe drug most often sold as a non-prescription/over-the-counter drug. Very few cases of fatalities resulting from cyclizine overdose can be found in the literature. We present a case where a 22-year-old female was found unconscious and intoxication with drugs and alcohol was suspected. Whole blood from the femoral vein, urine and stomach content were collected during autopsy and screened for drugs of abuse and medicinal drugs. GC-MS screening of the stomach contents revealed presence of cyclizine and meclozine. Cyclizine and meclozine concentrations in blood were determined using a UPLC-MS-MS method. Quantification of femoral blood revealed a high concentration of cyclizine (16 mg/L), a low concentration of meclozine (0.2 mg/L) and ethanol 0.16 g/dL. No other medicinal drugs or drugs of abuse were detected. We report on a case of suicide where cyclizine was found to be the principal drug and question the safety of this drug.

• Authors: Marianne Arnestad, Kari Beate Boye Eldor, Arne Stray-Pedersen, Liliana Bachs, Ritva Karinen
• Journal: Journal of analytical toxicology (J Anal Toxicol) Vol. 38 Issue 2 Pg. 110-2 (Mar 2014) ISSN: 1945-2403 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24324230 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Histamine H1 Antagonists
• Cyclizine

Topics

• Autopsy
• Cause of Death
• Cyclizine (blood, poisoning)
• Drug Overdose
• Female
• Forensic Toxicology (methods)
• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• Histamine H1 Antagonists (blood, poisoning)
• Humans
• Suicide
• Young Adult