Fatal overdose of the herbicide bentazone

Forensic Sci Int. 2003 Aug 27;135(3):235-6. doi: 10.1016/s0379-0738(03)00178-6.

Abstract

A 59-year-old woman who intentionally ingested 100-200 ml Basagran was taken to the hospital with a cardiac arrest 2 days after she had consumed the herbicide. During this period she suffered vomiting, urination and diarrhoea and she was drowsy with a muddled speech. Biological samples obtained at the autopsy were analysed and presence of bentazone, alcohol and an active metabolite of citalopram were detected. Blood concentrations of bentazone, alcohol and desmethyl-citalopram were 625 mg/kg, 0.62 g/l and 0.03 mg/kg, respectively.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetoacetates / blood
  • Acetone / blood
  • Benzothiadiazines / blood
  • Benzothiadiazines / chemistry
  • Benzothiadiazines / poisoning*
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / blood
  • Citalopram / analogs & derivatives
  • Citalopram / blood
  • Drug Overdose
  • Ethanol / blood
  • Female
  • Herbicides / blood
  • Herbicides / chemistry
  • Herbicides / poisoning*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxybutyrates / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Structure
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / blood
  • Solvents / analysis
  • Suicide*

Substances

  • Acetoacetates
  • Benzothiadiazines
  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Herbicides
  • Hydroxybutyrates
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Solvents
  • Citalopram
  • Acetone
  • Ethanol
  • acetoacetic acid
  • bentazone