The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
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J Am Osteopath Assoc
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J Am Osteopath Assoc · Jul 1998
Case ReportsA fatal overdose of transdermally administered fentanyl.
We present a case of fentanyl overdose via mucous membrane absorption. A 31-year-old man presented to the emergency department in respiratory arrest. At intubation, a Duragesic transdermal patch (75 micrograms/h) was recovered from the buccal cavity. ⋯ Drug screens were positive for benzodiazepines and cocaine. Mass spectrophotometry/gas chromatography was used to determine fentanyl levels and to confirm drug screen results. Case history, findings at intubation, and high fentanyl blood concentration suggest the cause of respiratory arrest and death was fentanyl overdose.