Drug poisoning and associated factors in Western Saudi Arabia: A five-year retrospective chart review (2011–2016)

Objective: drug poisoning is a globally common cause of emergency-room admissions. this study explores drug-poisoning prevalence patterns,associated risk factors (gender,age and exposure circumstances),and outcomes in western saudi arabia. methods: retrospective analysis of clinical drug poisoning cases (2011-2016). the data were retrieved from the saudi ministry of health’s record and patients’ medical charts were analyzed. results: the ministry of health received 1,474 reports of drug poisoning during 2011–2016.more than half involved females (n=885,60%) or young children (0-4 years old) (n=764,51.8%) and occurred accidentally (n=786,53.3%); almost all had an oral route of poisoning (n=1,466,99.5%). the cases most frequently involved analgesic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n=373,25.2%); antiepileptic,antipsychotic,psychoactive,and anxiolytic drugs (n=229,16.3%); antihistamine,asthma,flu,and cough drugs (n=157,12.0%); and antibiotic,anti-fungal; and antiprotozoal drugs (n=74,5.0%). antidotes were administered in only 2.2% of cases,and no deaths were reported. conclusion: the drug poisoning cases involved females and young children (younger than 5 years old) and the most cases were accidental,and the most commonly used drugs were analgesics (panadol),followed by antipsychotics,antihistamines,and antiepileptics (tegretol). © 2017,professional medical publications. all rights reserved.