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- Title
Prevalence of over-the-counter drug-related overdoses at Accident and Emergency departments in Northern Ireland– a retrospective evaluation.
- Authors
Wazaify, M.; Kennedy, S.; Hughes, C. M.; McElnay, J. C.
- Abstract
One major concern associated with misuse/abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) products is the potential for over-dosage. The aim of this research study was to evaluate, over a 3-month period, OTC medicine-related overdoses (those involving OTC drugs only and OTC drugs in combination with other drugs) that led to patients presenting at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in four Belfast hospitals.A data collection sheet was designed to capture the information required from the A&E records in each hospital. A retrospective week-by-week data collection, reviewing A&E records, took place over a 3-month period (starting on 1 December 2002). All data related to cases presenting at the A&E departments because of drug overdoses (either accidental or deliberate according to Read Clinical Classification) were included in the study. Data were coded and entered into a custom designed SPSS© database for analysis, using Chi square and Fisher exact tests.OTC drug-related overdoses comprised 40·1% of all overdoses, of which 24·0% were OTC-only overdoses. Those who overdosed on OTC drugs (solely or combined with other drugs) were mainly female (62·3%) and in the age category 31–50 years (44·9%;P < 0·05). The majority (n = 215) of OTC-related overdoses were intentional, whereas only 28 were accidental. Of those who attended the A&E departments and had an overdose history, one-third overdosed on OTC-related products and two-thirds overdosed on OTC drugs only.OTC drugs accounted for a significant proportion of overdose presentations at the A&E departments in Northern Ireland. Higher awareness of the potential of OTC product use in overdose cases (intentional or accidental) is recommended for both the public and health care professionals.
- Subjects
BELFAST (Northern Ireland); NORTHERN Ireland; DRUG overdose; NONPRESCRIPTION drugs; POISONING; HOSPITAL emergency services
- Publication
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics, 2005, Vol 30, Issue 1, p39
- ISSN
0269-4727
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1365-2710.2004.00607.x