Citation

Andersen CU, Nielsen LP, Møller JM, Olesen AE. Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Nordic Pharmacological Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/bcpt.13688

PMID

34811929

Abstract

Knowledge about current trends and epidemiology in poisonings is important to maintain quality in diagnostics, treatment, and prevention. We performed a cross-sectional study of all cases (n=261) admitted with drug poisoning to Aalborg University Hospital during one year in 2017-2018. Median age was 30 [22-49] years, and 58% were female. Fifty % were suicide attempts. In most cases, involved drugs were identified by history taking; blood analysis barely revealed any additional paracetamol and salicylicate poisonings. Drugs prescribed to the patient or available over the counter were involved in nearly two thirds of cases. Weak analgesics dominated by paracetamol (n=91, 35%) was the most frequently involved group of drugs followed by opioids and benzodiazepines. Gender differences were observed with respect to involvement of weak analgesics and central stimulants. A higher prevalence of unidentified involved drugs was observed in 26 cases (10%) in which the length of admission exceeded two days and/or intensive care was needed. No deaths, cardiac arrhythmias, or physical complications occurred. Thus, current handling of the acute poisoning seems effective in most cases. However, a more tailored use of blood analyses including a toxicological screen in selected cases may represent an opportunity for improvement.

Language: en

Keywords

adverse effects; medication; overdose; paracetamol; sedation