Poisoning with psychotropic drugs

ABSTRACT

Psychotropic drug poisoning remains a major cause of morbidity worldwide. This study investigated retrospectively its pattern in Saudi Arabia. Case files all patients admitted with drug intoxication were reviewed. Psychotropic drugs accounted for 22% of all documented cases [1430] and 76% of the 412 acute poisoning cases associated with CNS depression. The rank order of psychotropic agents used were anxiolytics 154[49%] antidepressants 104[33%], antipsychotics 57[18%] and mixed intoxication in 72[23%] patients. Other drugs used concomitantly with psychotropics were alcohol in 30 antiepileptics in 24 and antitussives in 20 cases respectively. Mixed intoxication led to 10 deaths and 8 with permanent neurological dysfunction. The type of poisoning was accidental in 86% of those aged under 13 years and all those over 40 years of age but deliberate in 83% of the 21-30 years age group. Poisoning with anxiolytics was 57% accidental and 43% deliberate in contrast to 27% accidental and 73% deliberate with antidepressants. Of all those with deliberate poisoning 68% were on psychotropic agents. It is recommended that physicians should reassess their psychotherapeutic methodology and be familiar with the treatment approaches of the intoxication by these agents