TY  - JOUR
T1  - CYanide poisoning from apricot seeds
AU  - Rubno MJ, Davidoff F
Y1  - 1979/01/26
N1  - 10.1001/jama.1979.03290300013008
JO  - JAMA
SP  - 359
EP  - 359
VL  - 241
IS  - 4
N2  - To the Editor.— 
    Laetrile (amygdalin), found in the kernels of apricot seeds and other fruits, has recently been legalized in several states for the treatment of cancer. Amygdalin is a cyanogenic glycoside that on hydrolysis yields hydrogen cyanide. Although supporters of laetrile as a cancer remedy maintain it has no toxicity, several reports document its toxic effects (238:482, 1977; 238:1361, 1977; 239:1532,1978). We report yet another case of cyanide poisoning from the ingestion of apricot seeds.Report of a Case.— 
    On June 8, 1978, a 49-year-old woman with nodular lymphoma diagnosed six years earlier ate 20 to 40 apricot pits, which she had purchased in a local health food store. The patient denied using the pits as a cancer treatment or preventive; rather, they were a substitute for her regular lunch. Within half an hour the patient noted headache, weakness, disorientation, and nausea. She vomited once or twice, regurgitating substantial
SN  - 0098-7484
M3  - doi: 10.1001/jama.1979.03290300013008
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1979.03290300013008
ER  -