Prevalence of over-the-counter drug-related overdoses at Accident and Emergency departments in Northern Ireland--a retrospective evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Wazaify
M
M
Clinical and Practice Research Group, The School of Pharmacy, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, UK.
Kennedy
S
S
Hughes
C M
CM
McElnay
J C
JC
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000009:adverse effects; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D019992:Databases as Topic; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004344:Drug Incompatibility; D004347:Drug Interactions; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000145:classification; D004630:Emergencies / Q000453:epidemiology; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007052:Ibuprofen / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012646:Self Administration / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors
D004338:Drug Combinations; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D000082:Acetaminophen; D001241:Aspirin; D007052:Ibuprofen