Citation

Kalbani RJ, Wazaify M. J. Subst. Use 2016; 22(1): 77-82.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa Healthcare)

DOI

10.3109/14659891.2016.1144803

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A major concern associated with misuse and abuse of drugs is the potential for overdose. This study is aimed at evaluating, over a 1-year period, drug-related overdoses (those involving prescription and non-prescription drugs) that have led to patients presenting at three major emergency departments in Amman. A data collection sheet was designed to capture the information required from the emergency records in each hospital. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows (version 20). A total of 788 patients were admitted to the emergency departments with acute drug overdoses using 135 different kinds of drugs. The female-to-male ratio was 1.7:1. The highest incidence of drug overdoses was in children 5 years old and younger (49%). Paracetamol was the most common drug involved in overdoses (14%), followed by ibuprofen (6.7%), diclofenac (4%), and amoxicillin (4%). It is recognized that overdose is among the most frequent reasons for visits to emergency departments. Regulations, appropriate post-marketing vigilance, and higher awareness of drugs misuse and abuse potentials which could lead to overdose are recommended for medical prescribers, pharmacists, and the public.

Language: en