Dextropropoxyphene Poisoning: Problems with Interpretation of Analytical Data

Abstract

1 Difficulties in the estimation and interpretation of dextropropoxyphene and norpropoxyphene analyses have added to the controversy concerning the toxicity of these compounds.

2 Poor performance in external proficiency assessment trials reflects the unsatisfactory state of many dextropropoxyphene and norpropoxyphene analyses in general use.

3 There is substantial overlap between blood concentrations of dextropropoxyphene and norpropoxyphene encountered in chronic therapeutic dose and those associated with acute toxicity.

4 As dextropropoxyphene and norpropoxyphene are often taken in overdose with other drugs, their blood concentrations must be interpreted in the context of careful identification and quantitation of such agents.

5 The present availability of accurate methods for measurement of parent drug and metabolite should now make anecdotal reports unsupported by analytical data entirely superfluous.

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