Specific Interpretation of Hair Concentrations in Two Fatal Metformin Intoxication Cases
February 2021
in “
Legal Medicine
”
Studysummary This study reports two cases of fatal metformin intoxication with hair concentrations significantly higher than those in subjects under treatment, marking the first use of hair analysis for such cases.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document reported on two fatal cases of metformin intoxication, where hair analysis was used post-mortem to detect metformin concentrations. The study found significantly higher levels of metformin in the hair of the deceased (28.3-44.8 ng/mg for case 1 and 22.5 ng/mg for case 2) compared to those under treatment or in non-fatal cases. These elevated hair concentrations were suggested to be due to contamination from excessive sweating during the agonal phase. The findings, although based on only two cases, suggest that hair analysis can be a valuable forensic tool in assessing drug exposure and potential overdose, with the caveat that sweat contamination can influence the results.
