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Michael Jackson homicide: Propofol addiction questioned
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Michael Jackson's death officially ruled a homicide, coroner reveals that lethal levels of propofol were found along with many benzodiazipines and ephedrine. Propofol addiction was a previously known risk according to medical studies.
Now that the Los Angeles coroner has officially released his report on the cause of death for Michael Jackson Friday, deemed a homicide, there is a sense of déjà vu to the news.
While the Jackson criminal investigation was reported on earlier this week that linked lethal levels of propofol to Jackson’s death, the reports were based on an anonymous source. The coroner’s report is now official but with only partial public disclosure.
Few additional details have been added to the Michael Jackson homicide story. Both propofol and benzodiazipenes were implicated in Jackson’s death and Dr. Conrad Murray remains a target of the investigation. (See Michael Jackson homicide by propofol, doctor suspected)
Although another previously unmentioned drug was found in toxicology analysis.
That the coroner found evidence of epinephrine in Michael Jackson’s body appears to be a new finding. Epinephrine is used to increase blood pressure and in medical emergencies involving cardiac arrest and potential drug overdose whereas it may be injected straight into the heart.
Given that Jackson was administered several doses of benzodiazipines in addition to the surgical sedative propofol, a dangerously low blood pressure and respiration rate is not surprising. (See the list of drugs Michael Jackson was given prior to his death)
Jackson received rare, dangerous treatment for his insominia and was not monitored in a competent, professional setting. Some of the drugs, including propofol, midazolam (Versed) and ephedrine, would normally be administered and monitored in a hospital or outpatient setting – especially with concurrent and extensive benzodiazepines use factored in.
An interesting thing about propofol is that it is known to have an abuse potential. “A 2007 study published by the International Anesthesia Research Society found that about 18 percent of the 126 academic anesthesia programs in the United States had at least one reported instance of propofol abuse within the previous 10 years,” according to CNN.
Additionally the sedative targets key receptors in the brain involved in drug abuse, including anti-anxiety medications and marijuana.
A prudent physician would not prescribe propofol on a regular basis (let alone for insomnia) to a person with proven or suspect history of drug abuse.
Many patients who are victims of chronic and severe pain or even debilitating anxiety know how difficult it is to find a doctor who will treat their symptoms with narcotics or sedatives even though these drugs have legitimate uses for some patients.
The laws on controlled substances have increasingly tightened. Some doctors avoid pain or sleep treatment involving controlled substances altogether and some patients have suffered as a result. Conversely, addiction to benzodiazepines and pain kills has escalated and remains an ongoing public health problem.
Obviously, Michael Jackson’s history of addiction and drug use will be factored in to whether or not a charge of homicide is sought and successfully obtained.
Though Jackson’s actions do not relieve physician responsibility, be it Conrad Murray or otherwise, and Jackson apparently required in-patient care to treat both his insomnia and drug dependencies.
In additional news, California Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown has joined the Jackson criminal investigation. Brown, along with the Los Angeles Police Dept. and the Drug Enforcement Administration, is investigating several doctors who treated the entertainer before his death.
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Photo Credit: Michael Jackson by AP
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