Interpretation of Blood Glutethimide, Meprobamate, and Methyprylon Concentrations in Nonfatal and Fatal Intoxications Involving a Single Drug

Abstract

We evaluated blood concentrations of three non-barbiturate sedative-hypnotics in 19 nonfatal (NF) and five fatal (F) intoxications which were “pure” (i.e. which involved only one drug each): glutethimide, 4 (NF), 3 (F); meprobamate, 9 (NF), 1 (F); and methy-prylon, 6 (NF), 1 (F). For each of the 24 cases, both a comprehensive toxicology panel (including blood and urine) and the clinical history established that only a single drug had been ingested. Blood drug concentrations showed statistically significant correlation with the level of consciousness for nonfatal meprobamate intoxication (p < 0.01) and nonfatal methyprylon intoxication (p < 0.05). Blood glutethimide concentrations did not show such correlation. Death was associated with a mean blood glutethimide concentration in excess of 4.0 mg/dL, a blood meprobamate concentration of 20.5 mg/dL, and a blood methyprylon concentration of 11.7 mg/dL. Interpretation of blood concentrations of these compounds is discussed, and physical findings and demographic data are presented.