Pharmacovigilance in the Toxicological Information Centre

1 ABSTRACT Background The annual drug overdose rates have been increasing exponentially since the 90's worldwide. Toxicological information centre (TIC) represents a valuable source of information for evaluating the trends in the drug poisonings in Czech Republic. Aim of the study The purpose was to analyze the number and trends in the calls concerning poisonings due to central nervous system (CNS) affecting drugs, identify the reasons of medication errors caused by laymen, frequency and consequences of these errors across all age groups and also to analyze the numbers, causes, symptoms and severity of the paracetamol intoxications. Methods During the reference period the data from the enquiries were extracted from the TIC electronic database, discharge reports from the hospital were studied or phone call follow-ups with the patients were carried out to be able to evaluate the outcome of the poisonings. Results In the years 1997-2002 the number of calls caused by poisoning with tricyclic antidepressants and barbiturates decreased (by 366.7 % and 340,0 %, respectively) whereas the calls due to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines overdose increased (by 1347.4 % and 359.8 %). The 0-5 years old children are at the highest risk of experiencing medication errors or accidental poisonings..