Toxicological investigations, including hair testing, in a death involving gabapentin

Gabapentin, a GABA analogue, is drug with anticonvulsant properties, used to treat epilepsy in adults and relieve pain patients suffering from postherpetic neuralgia. The usual oral daily dose 300-1800 mg, but may be increased maximum of 3600 mg 1-3 divided doses. most reported adverse effects gabapentin are somnolence, dizziness, ataxia, fatigue impaired vision. often associated opiates the addict population. A 58-year-old man was found dead at his home. He treated by since 3 years for major neuropathic depressive syndrome. Body examination did not reveal traumatic injury. Following an initial screening peripheral blood, all biological specimens collected during autopsy were analysed, using dedicated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method gabapentin. Analyses revealed intoxication gabapentin, including cardiac blood concentration 33800 μg/L, 42800 μg/L urine 854200 μg/L. Hair (2 cm, brown) tested positive 421 pg/mg. toxicological significance measured difficult establish because limited identification human hair. These results appear compatible overdose pathologist attributed death fatal intoxication.