Fatality secondary to misuse of TAC solution

Ann Emerg Med. 1988 Feb;17(2):159-60. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(88)80303-2.

Abstract

The death of a 7 1/2-month-old girl from the misuse of tetracaine/adrenalin/cocaine solution for wound anesthesia is reported. Ten milliliters of the solution inappropriately came into contact with nasal mucous membranes, causing excessive drug absorption. The patient's death probably was due to cocaine toxicity (post-mortem blood level, 11.9 mg/L).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anesthetics, Local / pharmacokinetics
  • Anesthetics, Local / poisoning*
  • Cocaine / pharmacokinetics
  • Cocaine / poisoning*
  • Drug Combinations / pharmacokinetics
  • Drug Combinations / poisoning
  • Epinephrine / pharmacokinetics
  • Epinephrine / poisoning*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lip / injuries
  • Nasal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Tetracaine / pharmacokinetics
  • Tetracaine / poisoning*

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Local
  • Drug Combinations
  • Tetracaine
  • TEC solution
  • Cocaine
  • Epinephrine