DEXTROPROPOXYPHENE-RELATED DEATHS - A PROBLEM THAT PERSISTS

A total of 48 cases of dextropropoxyphene-related deaths that occurred over a 6-year period (1987-1992) in the Lothian and Borders region of Scotland were reviewed. No significant gender difference was found bu t a significantly greater proportion of the deaths occurred in the urb an areas (P<0.05). Suicide accounted for 81.3% of cases while the othe r deaths were caused accidentally and involved drug addicts, alcoholic s and those who had taken their dextropropoxyphene-containing prescrip tions following consumption of alcohol. Overall concomitant alcohol ab use was identified in 41.7% of all the victims. Compound analgesic pre parations containing dextropropoxyphene are still widely prescribed an d the persistence of deaths from its overdose may suggest the need for stricter prescription control and for educational programmes for user s.