A REVIEW OF CARISOPRODOL DEATHS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALABAMA

Background. Carisoprodol is a skeletal muscle relaxant with the potent ial for abuse. A carisoprodol overdose is rarely considered fatal. Nev ertheless, we encountered carisoprodol in several cases, prompting rev iew of our experience. Methods, We did a retrospective study of cases examined at the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner Office from January 1, 1986, to October 31, 1997, reviewing investigative reports and autopsy findings. Results. Carisoprodol was present in 24 cases. S eventeen decedents died of acute drug intoxication. Carisoprodol was n ever the sole drug detected at autopsy, nor was it ever the sole cause of death. Propoxyphene was a co-intoxicant in 8 of the 24 cases. Conc lusions. Carisoprodol causes respiratory depression. Since the mechani sm of death was respiratory depression in 82% of the decedents who die d of acute intoxication, we consider that carisoprodol was probably re sponsible, in part, for those deaths. The simultaneous use of propoxyp hene and carisoprodol seems to be especially dangerous.