Drug impact on human poisoning in Brazil

O presente trabalho analisa a participa????o dos medicamentos nas intoxica????es humanas no Brasil, no per??odo de 1993 a 1996, com base nos dados registrados pela Rede Nacional de Centros de Controle de Intoxica????es. Os resultados s??o apresentados segundo causa determinante, faixa et??ria, sexo e evolu????o. O trabalho discute e apresenta algumas sugest??es de medidas visando a preven????o desse grave problema de sa??de p??blica, em especial aqueles acidentes ocorridos em crian??as menores de cinco anos, que constitu??ram o principal grupo envolvido com o consumo inadequado de medicamentos. O artigo tamb??m discute a participa????o significativa do sexo feminino nos ??bitos provocados por ingest??o intencional de medicamentos.This article analyzes the role of pharmaceuticals in human poisoning in Brazil from 1993 to 1996, based on data from the National Network of Poison Control Centers. Results are presented according to cause, age group, sex, and evolution. The paper discusses measures aimed at preventing this serious public health problem, which primarily impacts children under five years of age in accidents caused by inappropriate use of medicines. The authors also analyze the association between female gender and deaths caused by intentional intake of drugs