Characterization of Potential Intoxications with Medicines in a Regional Setting
Tânia Nascimento1,2, Teresa Santos3, Fátima Rato4,5
1Escola Superior de Saúde, Universidade do Algarve (ESSUAlg), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, Edifício 2, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 1, 2023
Summary
Portuguese Poison Information Center (CIAV) data from 2019-2020 shows a slight decrease in medication intoxication calls in the Algarve. Paracetamol and ibuprofen were most frequent, with increased psychotropic drug calls.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Public Health
- Pharmacovigilance
Background:
- The Portuguese Poison Information Center (Centro de Informação Antivenenos - CIAV) provides crucial medical assistance for intoxications.
- Understanding medication intoxication patterns is vital for public health and targeted prevention strategies.
- The Algarve region in Southern Portugal serves as the focus for this epidemiological analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare medication intoxication data from the Algarve region received by CIAV in 2019 and 2020.
- To identify trends in drug types, patient demographics, and exposure routes related to medication poisonings.
- To assess potential influences of external factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on intoxication patterns.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of telephone call data from CIAV for the Algarve region.
- Data collected included call origin, patient age and sex, exposure route, circumstances, symptoms, and involved substances.
- Comparative statistical analysis of data between 2019 and 2020.
Main Results:
- A slight decrease in total medication intoxication calls was observed from 1340 in 2019 to 1261 in 2020.
- Children aged 1-4 years represented a significant proportion of intoxications (21.2% in 2019, 16.4% in 2020).
- Paracetamol and ibuprofen (locomotor system) were the most common agents, followed by benzodiazepines (central nervous system).
- Paracetamol was the leading cause of calls in both years.
- Psychotropic drug-related calls showed the largest increase between 2019 and 2020.
Conclusions:
- Medication intoxication profiles in the Algarve remained similar between 2019 and 2020, despite a slight overall decrease in calls.
- Paracetamol continues to be the primary drug implicated in poison center calls.
- The rise in psychotropic drug-related calls warrants further investigation, potentially linked to COVID-19 related therapy changes or misinformation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:21Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview
2.0K
When it comes to infants and young children, they are typically administered smaller doses of medication in comparison to adults. This is primarily because their organ functions still need to fully develop, meaning their bodies are not as efficient at metabolizing or eliminating drugs. Additionally, their blood-brain barrier is more permeable than in adults. As a result, high concentrations of drugs can easily penetrate the central nervous system (CNS), potentially leading to neurological...
2.0K
01:26Toxic Reactions: Overview
1.0K
When toxic substances penetrate the human body, they disseminate to various tissues, undergoing metabolic changes. This process yields reactive metabolites that may covalently bind with specific target molecules, resulting in toxicity.
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
1.0K
01:17Antidotes
701
Antidotes are medicinal substances used to counteract the harmful effects of toxins or drugs in the body. They function in various ways, each uniquely designed to combat specific toxic compounds.
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
701
01:12Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
462
While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
462
01:14Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison
880
In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
880
01:25Drug Classes and Categories
2.1K
Drugs can be classified according to their chemical composition or their intended therapeutic application. For instance, anti-infective agents that possess the ability to eliminate pathogens or suppress their growth and reproduction can be grouped based on the organisms they target or their chemical structure. Furthermore, drugs can be divided into prescription, nonprescription, or controlled substances. Prescription medications, such as antibiotics, require oversight from a licensed healthcare...
2.1K