LAUSR

Accidental or intentional carvedilol poisoning is rarely reported. Here, we describe a case of attempted suicide with a large quantity of immediate-release carvedilol (75 mg) and alcohol. In order to determine the kinetics, LC-HRMS analyses were performed. The results for the plasma concentration of carvedilol were: 906 µg/L three hours after ingestion, 288 µg/L twelve hours after ingestion and 103 µg/L 24 hours after ingestion. A one-compartment model with linear and first order best described the elimination of the carvedilol, and the estimated half-life was 5.8 hours. The result 3 hours after ingestion represented the highest concentration ever observed for this drug. However, the patient was cirrhotic and liver function was impaired with decreased factor V (45%) and prothrombin ratio (61%). These conditions may explain the high concentrations of carvedilol. The patient was treated with glucagon and discharged from hospital the following day.