help with tox report

[JJ89]

I don't know if this is the right place to post this question, but here goes. My brother died from drug overdose on 2/16/09. Autopsy was performed & I just got word that the cause of death has been determined. Acute combined intoxication of alprazolam w/oxycodone. Alprazolam found in his system was 0.46 mcg & oxycodone was 0.19 mcg. He was taking Xanax for anxiety disorder, but had no script for oxycodone. We were told he took 15 Percocet along with his other meds 12 hours before he died. My question: Are the numbers above toxic levels & if so, would 0.19  mcg be equivalent to 15 percocet?

[Mollyrae]

Hi JJ:

I just want to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. I do not know anything about the question you have asked....I am only sending my condolences. Please take care.

Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

Hello JJ,

I am so very sorry for your loss. I know you are trying to understand your brothers passing. Often these untimely deaths just don't make sense. It seems so unfair. Gathering all the facts and putting pieces together can be part of the healing process.

Accurate interpretation of post mortem toxicology reports is beyond most lay persons and even many medical professionals.I think you mean MCH instead of MCG....or do you mean MCHC which is "Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration." MCH which is "Mean corpuscular hemoglobin." These do not mean milligrams or micro-milligrams or even grams. These are the blood (hemoglobin) levels.

From what I have been able to understand 0.19 is considered a lethal level of the drug in his system now add the Alprazolam level and together it is a deadly cocktail. These levels do not necessarily indicate how many he took. Only a trained professional in interpretation of post mortem toxicology can give you these numbers. There is a lot to consider like when he took the medication as compared to when the testing was done. It could have been higher at one point.  

I suggest you call the pathologist that performed the post-mortem examination. They are usually called Medical Examiners and are forensic pathologists. If you are not uncomfortable talking to the one that provided you with these numbers most M.E.'s will help you understand the toxicology reports.

My heart goes out to you and your family. I hope you will pursue your questions. I wish you Peace, Tuck    

[luppygirl]

Well percs do come in different amounts. some are 5 mg some are 10 mg.  I know nothing about mcg.  And it is definitely percs that was taken and not oxys?? because oxys come in stronger dosages.  Was he on all the meds for a while or was he new to all of them?