Brehmer C., Frangi D., Iten P.X.

Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland

Sedative and hypnotic properties are pharmacological attributes of methylpentynol. Due to its volatility, in routine toxicological screening of body-fluids, e.g. solid phase extraction or liquid/liquid extractions, methylpentynol will be missed. Only specific analyses will detect this drug.
For some decades methylpentynol has been available for human medication. Nevertheless therapeutic and toxic concentrations in blood are missing in literature.
In this paper concentrations of methylpentynol in blood and urine will be discussed. We will present a case where cause of death has been attributed to an intoxication with methylpentynol. Identification and quantitation of this drug was carried out using head space GC/MS technique.