Fatality Resulting From Metoprolol Overdose

A death due to an intentional overdose of metoprolol is described. The drug was quantified by gas chromatography, and identification was confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Matoprolol concentrations in blood, bile, urine, and vitreous humor were 19.8 rag/L, 83.1 rag/L, 1.6 mg/L, and 15.1 mg/L, respectively. A blood ethanol concentration of 0.25 g/100 mL was the only other significant toxicologic finding.