[The number of admissions to Dutch hospitals for barbiturate poisoning from 1981-1989 and those for poisoning with sedatives and hypnotics,and benzodiazepines].

Over the period 1981 to 1989, the number of admissions to Dutch general hospitals for barbiturate poisoning has dropped sharply and steadily, due to a more restrictive policy in prescribing regarding these sedatives. This trend is also present concerning poisoning with sedatives and hypnotics in general (ICD-code 967), but not concerning those with benzodiazepines (ICD-code 969.4). The female-male ratio was nearly 2:1. This difference is possibly due to the fact that females take more medication than males.