Counterfeit Norco Poisoning Outbreak - San Francisco Bay Area, California, March 25-April 5, 2016

On Mar 28, 2016, two patients were evaluated at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center emergency department (ED) in Contra Costa County, California, for nausea, vomiting, central nervous system depression, and respiratory depression, 30 minutes after ingesting what appeared to be Norco, a prescrip...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2016, Vol.65 (16), p.420
Main Authors: Vo, Kathy T, van Wijk, Xander M R, Lynch, Kara L, Wu, Alan H B, Smollin, Craig G
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
Analgesics
Blood
Counterfeiting
Drug dosages
Drug overdose
Laboratories
Narcotics
Nausea
Nervous system
Pain management
Poisoning
Poisons
Prescription drugs
Public health
Urine
Vomiting
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Summary:On Mar 28, 2016, two patients were evaluated at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center emergency department (ED) in Contra Costa County, California, for nausea, vomiting, central nervous system depression, and respiratory depression, 30 minutes after ingesting what appeared to be Norco, a prescription opioid pain medication that contains acetaminophen and hydrocodone. The patients purchased the drug from a friend a few days earlier. The two cases of drug intoxication were reported to a Contra Costa County Health Department public health official who subsequently notified the California State Health Department. Response to this outbreak has included notification of the California Department of Public Health, local media outlets, and law enforcement officials. On Apr 4, 2016, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) launched an anonymous tip line in San Francisco. No information has been released regarding the source of the counterfeit tablets, and an investigation is ongoing.
ISSN:0149-2195
1545-861X