Acute poisonings with drugs. A review of the data collected at the National Poison Information Centre during the period 1991-1995.

An analysis of the files collected in the National Poison Information Centre reveals that drugs are the most frequent causes of acute poisonings (followed by pesticides and other chemical substances) not only in big cities but also in rural areas. Within the drug poisoning category, about 59% of the toxicological advice related to poisonings in children up to 14 years of age. The most frequent poisonings with drugs related to poisonings with sedative and psychotropic drugs, particularly those containing benzodiazepines, phenothiazine derivatives and tricyclic antidepressants. There were frequent inquiries relating to poisonings with drug mixtures. Self-poisonings were the most frequent cause of poisonings among the adults (87.3%), in children below 14 years of age dominated accidental poisonings (96% of all drug poisonings in children).