Author Information

An event is serious (based on the ICH definition) when the patient outcome is:

  • * death

  • * life-threatening

  • * hospitalisation

  • * disability

  • * congenital anomaly

  • * other medically important event

  • * Drug overdose

In a study of post-mortem blood samples collected from Oslo University Hospital, a patient [age and sex not stated] received fentanyl in an overdose [route, dosage and indication not stated] leading to intoxication and death [time to reaction onset not stated]. Post-mortem blood samples revealed fentanyl concentration of 2.5 ng/mL along with the presence of alfentanil.

Author comment: "Postmortem peripheral blood from 2 individuals suffering from fentanyl intoxication was collected and treated accordingly."