Blood Codeine Concentrations in Fatalities Associated with Codeine

Abstract

The toxicologic findings in eight cases of death due primarily to codeine overdosage are presented. Blood codeine concentrations ranged from 1.4 to 5.6 mug/ml as determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Morphine was found in only two of the blood samples, at concentrations of 0.2 and 0.6 mug/ml, and may have resulted from heroin usage rather than codeine metabolism. A case of death of a codeine user by violent means is also presented in which the blood codeine concentration was 2.6 mug/ml.