Specific Interpretation of Hair Concentrations in Two Fatal Metformin Intoxication Cases

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.