Drug-related Toxic Events In The State Of São Paulo, Brazil [eventos Toxicológicos Relacionados A Medicamentos No Estado De São Paulo]

Objective: To assess the epidemiological characteristics of drug-related toxic events in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: A descriptive epidemiological case series study was conducted. Using the category "drug-related toxic event", 6,673 registered cases were analyzed in the Toxicology Centers in the State of São Paulo throughout 1998. The variables studied comprised the characteristics of the events and the affected patients, toxic agents and the circumstances involved. The analysis of toxic agents took into consideration three levels of disaggregation: therapeutical groups, active ingredients and commercial brand names. Results: Drugs ranked first among all toxic agents registered in the Centers. Drug-related toxic events were mostly reported by phone (78.50%) and hospitals (86.60%); they were originated from acute oral exposure (90.2%) at home (85.7%) in the urban area (95%). Most people affected were females (59%) in their first decade of life (49.4%), mainly between two and the years of age. The most common active ingredients found were: phenobarbital, diazepam, haloperidol, carbamazepine and bromazepam. The main circumstances were accidental ingestion (38.8%) and suicidal attempts (36.5%) and among the related active ingredients, the most prevailing therapeutical group were psychiatric, analgesic/anesthetic and respiratory. Conclusions: Law-abiding practices regarding prescription drugs are needed, as well as toxicological surveillance according to the National Health System guidelines.40610561064Arrais, P.S., Coelho, H.L.L., Batista, M.C.D.S., Carvalho, M.L., Righi, R.E., Arnau, J.M., Perfil da automedicação no Brasil (1997) Rev Saúde Pública, 31 (1), pp. 71-77Barros, J.A.C., (1995) Propaganda de medicamentos: Atentado à saúde? Apêndice 5: Auto-regulamentação ou auto-engano? São Paulo: Hucitec/Sobravime, pp. 189-204Castro, C.G.S.O., Os estudos de utilização de medicamentos nos poíses do terceiro mundo In: Castro CGSO, organizador (2000) Estudos de utilização de medicamentos: Noções básicas, pp. 35-45. , Rio de Janeiro: Fiocruz;Coelho, H.L., Farmacovigilãncia: Um instrumento necessário (1998) Cad Saúde Pública, 14, pp. 871-875Laporte, J.R., Tognoni, G., (1993) Principios de epidemiología del medicamento, pp. 3-4. , 2a ed. Barcelona: Ediciones y, Estudios de utilización de medicamentos y de farmacovigilãnciapManagement Sciences for Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization/Action Programme on Essential Drugs. Managing drug supply: the selection, procurement, distribution and use of pharmaceuticals. Second edition, revised and expanded. In: Quick JD, Rankin JR, Laing RO, O'Connor RW, Hogerzeell HV, Dukes MNG, Garnett A, editors. West Hartford: Kumarian Press1997Mundial de la Salud, O., Uso racional de los medicamentos. Informe de la (1986) Conferencia de Expertos. Nairobi, 25-29 de noviembre de 1985. Genebra, , OMS;Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Estatísticas anuais de casos de intoxicação e envenenamento. Sistema de Informação Nacional de Informação Tóxico-Farmacológica. Brasil, RJ, 1991 a 2004(1998) The role of the pharmacist in self-care and self-medication [report of the 4th WHO Consultive Group on the Role of the Pharmacist], , World Health Organization, Hague NederlandsRozenfeld, S., Farmacovigilância: Elementos para a discussão e perspectives (1998) Cad Saúde Pública, 14 (2), pp. 237-263Schvartsman S, Schvartsman C, Dória Filho U. Intoxicações exógenas. In: Blank D, organizador. Manual de acidentes a intoxicações na infância e adolescência. Rio de Janeiro: Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Schering-Plough: 1994. p. 46-51Serra GA, Dória Filho U. Epidemiologia dos acidentes e demais causes externas. In: Blank D, organizador. Manual de acidentes e intoxicações na infância e adolescência. Rio de Janeiro: Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria, Schering-Plough1994. p. 14-19SobravimeAcción Internacional para la Salud - América Latina y Caribe. O que é uso racional de medicamentos. São Paulo: Sobravime, 2001. Os problemas;p. 29-6