Over-the-Counter Drugs and Other Substances Used in Attempted Suicide Presented to Emergency Departments in Montreal, Canada

Crisis ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 166-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Mikhail ◽  
Omaid Tanoli ◽  
Gilles Légaré ◽  
Pierre-André Dubé ◽  
Youssef Habel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Patient Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
Do So

Abstract. Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics are frequently used in suicide attempts. Accessibility, toxicity, and unsupervised acquisition of large amounts may be facilitators. Aims: To identify patient characteristics associated with OTC drug use as a suicide attempt method among adults. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using chart review of all individuals who presented to the emergency department (ED) of two adult general hospitals following a suicide attempt during 2009–2010 in Montreal, Canada. Results: Among the 369 suicide attempters identified, 181 used overdosing, 47% of whom used OTC drugs. In logistic regression, women and those with medical comorbidity were more likely to use overdosing, while those with substance use disorders were less likely to do so. Among those who overdosed, women were more likely to use OTC drugs, while those who were Caucasian, had children, comorbidities, diagnoses with substance use disorders, and made attempts in the Fall were less likely to do so. Substances most frequently used were: acetaminophen among OTC drugs (30%); antidepressants (37%), anxiolytics (30%), opioids (10%), and anticonvulsants (9%) among prescription drugs; and cocaine (10%) among recreational drugs. Limitations: Reasons for the suicide method choice were not available. Conclusion: OTC drugs, in particular acetaminophen, are frequently used in suicide attempts. Accessibility to these drugs may be an important contributor.

scholarly journals Information provision and retrieval by registered salespersons from consumers during over-the-counter drug sales – a questionnaire survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayato Kizaki ◽  
Misato Mochizuki ◽  
Yutaka Yoshida ◽  
Kaori Ishikawa ◽  
Miya Ohishi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
Drug Sales

Abstract Background In Japan, non-pharmacists who are accredited as registered salespersons can sell over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and they play a very important role in supporting proper OTC drug use by consumers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate information provided to and information collected from consumers, and cooperation with pharmacists during OTC drug sales by registered salespersons, and to clarify their related concerns and behaviors. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of 385 registered salespersons working at 56 drugstores throughout Japan was conducted. Based on the questionnaire survey, the frequency of information provision/collection in various categories was determined for the registered salespersons. The relation between concerns of registered salespersons relating to OTC drug sales and the frequency of information provision/collection was examined. The frequency of consultation of registered salespersons with a pharmacist was calculated for registered salespersons with/without in-store pharmacists. The χ-square test or Fisher’s exact test was performed to assess the significance of differences. Results Two hundred and seven registered salespersons (53.7%) responded completely. A greater number of OTC drug purchasers per day was associated with a greater frequency of information provision about “side effects” and information collection about “favorite items” (alcohol, tobacco, health foods, etc.) (p < 0.05). One hundred and thirty-nine (67.2%) participants had concerns about “interactions between OTC drugs and prescription drugs”, and these concerns were related to the frequency of information provision/collection (p < 0.05). Regarding the frequency of consultation with a pharmacist, 35 of 46 participants (76.1%) working with pharmacists answered “always” or “usually”, whereas only 19 of 161 participants (11.8%) working without full-time pharmacists answered “always” or “usually”. More than half of the registered salespersons thought that cooperation with a pharmacist was necessary when they were “asked about concomitant use with prescription drugs” or “told that side effects happened.” Conclusions The results of this study show that experienced registered salespersons selling OTC drugs are more likely to collect information from consumers and to provide information to consumers. It appears to be important for registered salespersons to cooperate with pharmacists in order to provide and collect appropriate information about concomitant medications.

Psychological, Structural, Social and Economic Determinants of Suicide Attempt: Risk Assessment and Decision Making Strategies

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110034
Author(s):  
Azam Farmani ◽  
Mojtaba Rahimianbougar ◽  
Yousef Mohammadi ◽  
Hossein Faramarzi ◽  
Siamak Khodarahimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Psychological Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Economic Determinants ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cross Sectional Design ◽  
High Level ◽  
Risk Assessment And Management

The aim of this research was to conduct a risk assessment and management of psychological, structural, social and economic determinants (PSSED) in a suicide attempt. The sample consisted of 353 individuals who had a recorded history of suicidal attempt; and 20 professional individuals by purposive sampling method within a descriptive cross-sectional design. Worksheets for RAM and AHP were used for data collection in this study. The rate of suicide attempt was 7.21 per 100,000 population in this study. Analysis showed that depression and mental disorders; personality disorders; family problems; socio-cultural and economic problems; lack of awareness; and low level of education have a high level of risk for suicide attempts. Psychiatric and psychological services; awareness and knowledge of life skills; medical services to dysfunctional families; development of community-based planning for PSSED of suicide; and employment and entrepreneurship services may lower suicide attempt risk.

scholarly journals Behavior of Medical Students toward Over-the-Counter Drugs in Comparison to Students from Other Faculties, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
pp. 129-135
Author(s):  
Amar Fathi Mohamed Khalifa ◽  
Yasser Nabil AlKhudairy ◽  
Adel Ahmed Algahtani ◽  
Bandar Mohammed Abduljabbar ◽  
Fahad Majed Aldawsari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
Professional Guidance

Background: Over-the-counter-drugs (OTC) are drugs that can be obtained by patients without a prescription from a physician. In Saudi Arabia, it has been reported that more than half of university students practiced self-medication and used OTC drugs. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study, among medical and non-medical students in Riyadh. The sample size was 421, by systemic random sampling. A pre-coded pre-tested online questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed using SPSS V 23. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There was no significant relationship between what the participants were majoring in and the usage of OTC drugs (p value= 0.373). Gender also had no relation with the use of OTC (p value= 0.168). Panadol appeared as the most commonly used OTC drug 62.9% for the relief of the most commonly mentioned factor which is headache 50.12%.  Conclusion: Medical education didn’t have much of an effect on the use of OTC drugs. Moreover, professional guidance or advice was not considered most of the time for taking OTC, but the majority of respondents portrayed good behavior towards usage of OTC.

scholarly journals Evaluate use of over the counter drugs among medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 973
Author(s):  
Megha Sood ◽  
Jagminder Kaur Bajaj ◽  
Nipunjot Grewal
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Care Teaching ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
Abdominal Symptoms

Background: In our country there is easy availability of drugs over the counter leading to their unintentional misuse and abuse. Over the counter availability of drugs does offer the benefit of easy access to medicines and allows individuals to become in charge of their own health. It is important to understand that medical education can impact the OTC drug use amongst medical students. In order to observe the pattern of OTC drug use among the first and second professional MBBS students we planned this study. The aim of the study was to evaluate use of over the counter (OTC) drugs among medical students in a tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: Our study was a cross sectional study conducted on first and second professional MBBS students. Authors administered a self structured, prevalidated questionnaire to the students. The data obtained was tabulated, analyzed and the results calculated in percentages.Results: The use of OTC drugs is common amongst undergraduate students.  All (100%) the students who participated in the study had used OTC drugs at some point in their life. The common conditions prompting use of OTC drugs include head ache, body aches (74%), fever (72%), respiratory conditions such as: cold (60%), cough (28.5%), abdominal symptoms such as: abdominal pain (14%), gastritis (7.5%), diarrhea (6%), vomiting (5%) and allergies (10%). Very few students reported adverse drug reactions with these drugs.Conclusions: From our study we have concluded that OTC drugs are commonly used amongst medical students. So, periodic training and talks on self medication are necessary for them. Student knowledge in this aspect will help them in future counseling of their patients.

scholarly journals People’s expectations in Ho Chi Minh City when buying over - the - counter drugs to self - treatment

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Minh Ha ◽  
Nguyen The Hung
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Exploratory Factor Analysis ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Quantitative Method ◽  
Information Behavior ◽  
Ho Chi Minh City ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Otc Drugs ◽  
Common Diseases

This objective is to study determinants of people’s expectation in Ho Chi Minh city when buying over – the counter drugs to self – treatment. With a directly surveyed dataset of 403 citizens over 18 years old who purchased medicines for self-treatment, and using the quantitative method by exploratory factor analysis (EFA), the study found factors affecting people’s expectations when buying over – the – counter (OTC) drugs to heal themselves are past purchase and use of non-prescription drugs, experience treating common diseases with OTC drugs, seeking information behavior when intending buying non-prescription drugs, the impression of the-over-counter medications and the impression of pharmacist at pharmacy by Ho Chi Minh city (HCMC) citizens.

Substance Use Disorders, Personality Disorders, and Eating Disorders

2016 ◽  
pp. 711-714
Author(s):  
Brian A. Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorders ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Personality Disorders ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Drug Induced ◽  
Medical Settings ◽  
Generic Term ◽  
And Behavior

Psychosis is a generic term used to describe altered thought and behavior in which the patient is incapable of interpreting his or her situation rationally and accurately. Psychotic symptoms can occur in various medical, neurologic, and psychiatric disorders. Many psychotic reactions seen in medical settings are associated with the use of recreational or prescription drugs. Some of these drug-induced psychotic reactions are nearly indistinguishable from schizophrenia in terms of hallucinations and paranoid delusions.

scholarly journals Tobacco smoking and other substance use disorders associated with recurrent suicide attempts in bipolar disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 256 ◽  
pp. 348-357
Author(s):  
R. Icick ◽  
I. Melle ◽  
B. Etain ◽  
P.A. Ringen ◽  
S.R. Aminoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Suicide Attempts

scholarly journals Patients with stroke and psychiatric comorbidities have lower carotid revascularization rates

Neurology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (22) ◽  
pp. e2514-e2521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana M. Bongiorno ◽  
Gail L. Daumit ◽  
Rebecca F. Gottesman ◽  
Roland Faigle
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Carotid Stenosis ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Comorbidity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychiatric Comorbidities ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Carotid Revascularization ◽  
Psychiatric Conditions

ObjectiveWe investigated whether mental illness is associated with lower rates of carotid endarterectomy (CEA)/carotid artery stenting (CAS) after stroke due to carotid stenosis.MethodsIn this retrospective cross-sectional study, ischemic stroke cases due to carotid stenosis were identified in the 2007–2014 Nationwide (National) Inpatient Sample. Psychiatric conditions were identified by secondary ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes for schizophrenia/psychoses, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders. Using logistic regression, we tested the association between psychiatric conditions and CEA/CAS, controlling for demographic, clinical, and hospital factors.ResultsAmong 37,474 included stroke cases, 6,922 (18.5%) had a psychiatric comorbidity. The presence of any psychiatric condition was associated with lower odds of CEA/CAS (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78–0.90). Schizophrenia/psychoses (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.55–0.93), depression (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.75–0.91), and substance use disorders (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.65–0.83) were each associated with lower odds of CEA/CAS. The association of mental illness and CEA/CAS was dose-dependent: compared to patients without mental illness, patients with multiple psychiatric comorbidities (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.62–0.87) had lower odds of CEA/CAS than those with only one psychiatric comorbidity (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79–0.92; p value for trend <0.001).ConclusionThe odds of carotid revascularization after stroke is lower in patients with mental illness, particularly those with schizophrenia/psychoses, depression, substance use disorders, and multiple psychiatric diagnoses.

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