Habitual, toxic, and lethal concentrations of 103 drugs of abuse in humans

Abstract

Background: Poisoning caused by drugs of abuse or commonly used addictive medicines occurs with relative frequency and often leads, either directly or indirectly, to death. The interpretation of the blood and urine concentrations is, however, a complex and difficult problem.

Methods: We have reviewed the published data and subjected them to selection and unification on the basis of conservative criteria and our own experience.

Results: A compilation of the concentrations of 103 drugs of abuse in whole blood, serum/plasma, and urine, during habitual or therapeutic use and as found in toxic or lethal poisoning is given.

Conclusions: The table presented can be helpful in interpretation of the drug concentrations encountered in clinical, toxicological, and forensic cases.