A retrospective analysis of therapeutic drug exposures in New Zealand National Poisons Centre data 2018–2020

Abstract

Objective: The New Zealand National Poisons Centre advises the general public and health professionals on management of exposures to various substances. The epidemiology of medicine exposures was used to characterise inappropriate use of medicines across age groups. Methods: Data from contacts in 2018–2020 were analysed: patient demographics (age, gender), number of therapeutic substances, and advice given. The most frequent individual therapeutic substance exposures across age groups and the reasons for these occurring were determined. Results: A total of 76% of children’s (aged 0–12 or unknown child) exposures were exploratory in nature, involving a variety of medicines. Youth (aged 13–19) had frequently engaged in intentional self-poisoning (61% of their exposures), and most commonly by exposure to paracetamol, antidepressants, and quetiapine. Adults (aged 20–64) and older adults (aged 65 and over) were frequently affected by therapeutic errors (50% and 86% of their exposures, respectively). Adults were most frequently exposed to paracetamol, codeine, tramadol, antidepressants, and hypnotics, while older adults were exposed to paracetamol and various cardiac medications. Conclusions: Types of inappropriate medicine exposures vary in different age groups. Implications for public health: Poisons centre data add to pharmacovigilance monitoring of potential harm from medicines and inform medication safety policies and interventions.