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Table 5 Agents involved in toxic exposures

From: Demographics of toxic exposures presenting to three public hospital emergency departments in Singapore 2001–2003

Toxin

Frequency (% of total exposures)

Alcohol

2,802 (27.8)

Analgesics (paracetamol, NSAIDs, opiates)

1,330 (13.2)

Sedatives (benzodiazepines, barbiturates)

849 (8.4)

Antidepressants

215 (2.1)

Antipsychotics

76 (0.8)

Anticonvulsants

41 (0.4)

Cough & cold preparations

325 (3.2)

Antimicrobials

77 (0.8)

Anticoagulants (heparin, warfarin)

5 (0.1)

Asthma medications (salbutamol, Atrovent, theophylline, steroids)

104 (1.0)

Endocrine medications (oral hypoglycaemics & insulin)

57 (0.6)

Gastrointestinal medications (laxatives, antispasmodics, antacids)

121 (1.2)

Cardiac medications (antihypertensives, antiarrhythmics, digoxin)

75 (0.7)

Vitamins & nutritional supplements

45 (0.4)

Illicit drugs

150 (1.5)

Food poisoning

91 (0.9)

Bites & stings

1,480 (14.7)

Pesticides

69 (0.7)

Cleaning products—domestic

314 (3.1)

Cleaning products—medical

87 (0.9)

Industrial chemicals

1,046 (10.4)

Personal care products (cosmetics, perfumes)

71 (0.7)

Smoke inhalation

139 (1.4)

Traditional medications

66 (0.7)

Others/unknown

428 (4.3)

Total

10,063

  1. NSAIDs non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs