[Drug-related toxic events in the state of São Paulo, Brazil].

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 (78.5%) and hospitals (86.6%); 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 three 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.