Sedative found in hair samples
Toxicologist Dr Mark Piper examined samples of Helen Baileys hair. The sedative drug Zopiclone was found in these samples, as well as Helens chest cavity fluid, liver sample and muscle tissue.
A very low level of paracetamol was also found in Helens chest cavity fluid.
He told you that although Zopiclone will disappear from the body of a living person after only days, it will become incorporated into the hair, where it will be detectable for a long time thereafter.
He said on the assumption Helen met her death on April 11, the Zopiclone had been ingested by Helen as early as February 2016. He said Zopiclone would have been ingested by Helen more than once.
Prescription-only drug was for insomnia
Dr Piper said Zopiclone was a prescription only drug, taken for insomnia.
He said the tablets should be swallowed whole. Zopiclone is rapidly absorbed after administration and effects on the nervous system appear one or two hours after use.
He told you a bitter or metallic taste in the mouth is an adverse effect of Zopiclone, which may affect one in 10 people.
He said in some cases, the taste may not be apparent, due to the fact the patient had been asleep when abnormal taste would have otherwise been apparent.
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