Suicide by self-injection of chlormequat trademark C5SUN(®).

Chlormequat is a quaternary ammonium used as plant growth regulating agent. We report here the first suicide case involving a 45 year-old farmer man who intentionally self-injected C5SUN(®), containing chlormequat and choline. An original liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry method (LC-HR-MS), using a hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometer, was developed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of chlormequat in different biological matrices. Toxicological analyses of post-mortem samples highlighted the presence of chlormequat in the blood (2.25mg/L) and the urine (4.45mg/L), in addition to ethanol impregnation blood (1.15g/L). The route of administration (subcutaneous injection) was confirmed by the detection of chlormequat in the abdominal fat sample (chlormequat: 10.04mg/g) taken from the traumatic injury location, as well as in the syringe found at the death scene, close to the victim's body. Based on the results of these post-mortem investigations, the cause of death was determined to be consecutive to cardiac dysrhythmia and cardiac arrest following chlormequat self-injection.

Chlormequat poisoning is not without risk: Examination of seven fatal cases.

Chlormequat chloride is a plant growth regulator. Chlormequat poisoning clinically resembles anticholinesterase insecticide poisoning. The cholinergic symptoms result from direct action on nicotinic and muscarinic receptors and not from inhibition of the cholinesterase activity. This case series confirms the extreme gravity of chlomequat poisoning with a risk of death in the hour following ingestion.

Sudden death following accidental ingestion of chlormequat.

A 59-year-old white male accidentally ingested a mouthful of a plant growth chemical, Cycocel, containing 11.8% of the active ingredient (2-chloroethyl)trimethylammonium chloride (chlormequat). He was seen by a family physician and then transferred to a hospital where he died as a result of ventricular fibrillation, which progressed to asystole. Postingestion symptoms were typical of cholinergic crisis and included salivation, diaphoresis, bradycardia, visual disturbances, and seizure. Autopsy findings showed marked pulmonary edema, coronary atherosclerosis, atheromata of aorta, and localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Toxicological analyses of biological samples showed the presence of chlormequat in the stomach contents and urine.

[Suicide with a supposedly safe plant growth regulator]. / Selbsttötung mit einem als unschädlich geltenden Pflanzenwachstumsregler.

The suicide of a young man with the plant growth regulator Cycocel (chlorocholine chloride and choline chloride) is reported. Morphological and toxicological findings are presented. According to the manufacturers this product is harmless. So far cautionary labelling is not required. A discussion is given on whether such active substances should be subject to stricter controls.