A Case of Intravenous Suicide: Sodium Hypochlorite & Benzalkonium Chloride

Authors : Serpil Soyudoğru, Melike Mercan Başpınar, Okcan Basat, Mustafa Çalık

Pages : 108-111

Doi:10.38175/phnx.727133

View : 371 | Download : 1863

Publication Date : 2020-07-01

Article Type : Other Papers

Abstract :Sodium hypochlorite as a strong oxidant- bleaching agent and benzalkonium chloride as a biocide is frequently used agents for cleaning and sterilization purposes, both in health care units and at home. Despite the injection of sodium hypochlorite into the venous system has been described many times before, to our knowledge self-administration of a mixture of sodium hypochlorite and benzalkonium chloride has not been reported by a way of suicide. Our patient was a health Professional who was running a sport and beauty center. The amount of total concentration intake that patient said prepared by himself (400 ml of sodium hypochlorite, 400 ml of benzalkonium chloride, and 1000 ml of isotonic liquid ) was unknown but it was known that >150–200 mL of hypochlorite in adults is enough for systemic poisoning. The cross effects of chemicals on human tissues and organs are unpredictable, our patient was discharged by recovering all systemic damages except permanent kidney damage. This study aims to present a rare suicide poisoning event and adverse clinical sequelae.
Keywords : Benzalkonium chloride, Zehirlenme, İntihar, Sodium hypochlorite