Patient experiences with a child-resistant prescription container.

The results of a survey of 100 outpatients' experiences with a child-resistant container are presented. Eighty-three patients experienced difficulty with the container. Forty-six used a tool for opening the container. Forty-three reported accidental spillage of their drugs because of opening difficulties. Thirty-eight handled the container in ways which reduced its child-resistant effectiveness. The presence of children in patients' homes appeared to reduce the incidence of dangerous handling practices. Patients who had initial difficulties tended to continue having trouble and were, largely, the same ones who later mishandled the container. Only eight patients received instruction from a health professional on how to open the container. Early education of patients using child-resistant prescription containers is suggested.