Abstract
After ingestion of 6–10 g camphor, 2 men were admitted to the clinic in a state of acute intoxication. The clinical symptomatology was characterized by psychomotoric agitation and hallucinations. Both patients, who used to take hashish and ephedrine, had taken camphor as a stimulant.
The blood and urine concentrations of camphor were determined by gaschromatography/mass spectrometry. Six metabolites of camphor could be detected in urine. The main metabolic pathways are hydroxylation in the 3-,5-, 8-, and 9-position, and a subsequent oxidation to the corresponding ketone and carbonic acid, the latter of which is excreted as a glucuronide. The plasma protein binding was determined by ultrafiltration (61%). In vitro hemoperfusion experiments were carried out with amberlite and activated charcoal. Amberlite proved to be more effective than activated charcoal. Repeated analysis of urine samples gave evidence for microbiological reduction of camphor to isoborneole.
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Köppel, C., Tenczer, J., Schirop, T. et al. Camphor poisoning. Arch Toxicol 51, 101–106 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00279325
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00279325