title: Intentional Coricidin product exposures among Illinois adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to describe the demographics and trends of Coricidin product abuse in children in Illinois and to calculate an approximate total charge to the health-care system.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective database review, we identified 652 cases of intentional exposure to Coricidin products among children < 18 years old in the Illinois Poison Center database from 2001 to 2006. Demographic, historical, clinical, and outcome data were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean (standard deviation) age was 15.7 (1.58) years. A significant increase in exposures occurred during the study period which showed a cyclic nature with peaks in the fall months. Of the patients with disposition data available, 28.6% were admitted to a critical care unit, 15.2% to a noncritical care hospital unit, 6.3% were admitted for inpatient psychiatric care, and 46.4% were evaluated in the emergency department and discharged home. Moderate or major outcomes were reported in 42.7% of cases in which data were available. No deaths were reported. The total approximate hospital charge was $2,119,881.90 or $353,313.65/year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intentional abuse of Coricidin products reported to the poison center occurred primarily among adolescents and was often associated with significant short-term clinical effects and a clear financial burden to the health-care system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This investigation demonstrates that Coricidin product abuse continues to be a problem particularly among adolescents. Parents and clinicians need to continue to be aware of these substances as drugs of abuse and curbing sales to adolescents should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA. shan1yin@gmail.com
authors.forename: Shan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wahl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D002648:Child; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003915:Dextromethorphan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008297:Male; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D000996:Antitussive Agents; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D003915:Dextromethorphan