@article{ref1,
title="Increased rates of diphenhydramine overdose, abuse, and misuse in the United States, 2005-2016",
journal="Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.)",
year="2021",
author="Nemanich, Antonia and Liebelt, Erica and Sabbatini, Amber K.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: To describe trends in abuse, misuse, and suicide attempts involving diphenhydramine (DPH). <br><br>METHODS: We analyzed intentional DPH exposures of individuals ≥10 years old reported to U.S. Poison Control Centers using data from the National Poison Data System, 2005-2016. <br><br>RESULTS: There were 158,774 intentional DPH exposures in our dataset. The rate of intentional exposures increased 63% over the 12-year study period for all ages combined. Suicide attempts involving DPH showed a bimodal distribution-increasing 263% among children 10-14 years of age, and 126 and 143% among those 55-64 and ≥65 years of age, respectively. Older adults in both the 55-64 and ≥65-year-old age groups had about a 230% increase in rates of misuse. Major adverse clinical effects increased by 91%. There were 745 total reported deaths with a 3.6% increase across all age groups. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Intentional DPH exposures among individuals ≥10 years old have been increasing since 2005. Increasing rates of suicide attempts among children ages 10-14 and increasing misuse among individuals ≥65, coupled with a trend toward greater severity of overdoses, highlight the significant public health impact of this commonly available over-the-counter drug.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1556-3650",
doi="10.1080/15563650.2021.1892716",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2021.1892716"
}