Fatal nefopam overdose
Urwin, S.C.; Smith, H.S.
British Journal of Anaesthesia 83(3): 501-502
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0007-0912 PMID: 10655934 Document Number: 502751
Nefopam is a non-opioid analgesic agent with a central mode of action involving activation of descending pain-modulating pathways and inhibition of synaptosomal uptake of hydroxytryptamine, norepinephrine and dopamine. Adverse effects during therapeutic use and after overdose of nefopam are known to involve the central nervous system (confusion and convulsions), the cardiovascular system (tachycardia and palpitations) and the kidneys (oliguria and renal failure). We report a death after nefopam overdose in a young woman who exhibited many of these features. It is only the second case of death after nefopam overdose in the literature.