Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology

Francesco Mari ¹, Beatrice Defraia ², Regina Rensi ², Barbara Gualco ², Fabio Vaiano ², Elisabetta Bertol ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, Division of Forensic Toxicology, University of Florence, IT
2 Department of Anatomy, Histology and Forensic Medicine, Division of Forensic Medicine, University of Florence, IT

Abstract

Benzodiazepines are among the most frequently worldwide prescribed antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs because they are considered effective and safe drugs. Despite of this, acute ingestion of benzodiazepines combined with alcohol is responsible for several toxicological interactions that can have serious outcomes such as the central nervous system depression. The Authors outline a case report of a 57-year-old woman suffering from depression, found dead in her apartment. The cause of death was attributed to cardio-respiratory arrest due to co-ingestion of massive intake of alprazolam and ketazolam, molecules to benzodiazepines structure and alcohol. This brief communication has the aim to bring a further contribution to scientific literature about the effects of interaction between alcohol and benzodiazepines.

Keywords

Benzodiazepines, Alcohol, Poisoning, Depression

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