Determination of doxylamine from a tea sample: A claim of drug facilitated crime

Abstract

Doxylamine, which is an active drug ingredient used for insomnia, is an antihistaminic with sedativeeffect and can be received without a prescription. Although doxylamine succinate intoxication is encountered quitefrequently, there is no data that shows the drug is used for intentional injury. This study was conducted to unravel asuspected case of intentional poisoning facilitated with the use of doxylamine, using a fast, accurate and reliablechromatographic method. The complainant realized that she had fallen asleep after drinking the tea given to her byher colleague, who has been treating her badly for some time. After experiencing a second similar situation, sheasked for toxicological analysis. The analysis revealed the presence of 69.3 μg/mL (13.9 mg/cup) of doxylamine inthe sample, and it was concluded that this amount was sufficient to produce the symptoms the complainantmentioned. However, this study reveals that the complainant’s claim is quite difficult to prove, and toxicologicalanalysis alone are not enough to prove her claim. Considering the possibility of crimes of intentional injury,aspersion and torment on a legal basis, this study thought to be remarkable as it presents a case of suspected crimefacilitated with the use of an active drug ingredient.