Drugs taken in fatal and non‐fatal self‐poisoning: a study in South London

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Abstract
This study compared the number and type of substances taken in deliberate self‐poisoning with fatal (n= 127) and non‐fatal (n=521) outcome. The aims were (i) to describe substances typically involved in self‐poisoning in England and Wales, (ii) to examine the role of drug ‘cocktails’ and (iii) to examine whether toxic substances are over‐represented in cases with fatal outcome. Over‐the‐counter (OTC) analgesics, minor tranquillizers and antidepressants accounted for about 70% of substances taken, irrespective of outcome. Compared with survivors, cases who died had taken a higher mean number of substances. Among self‐poisonings with a single substance, antidepressants and paracetamol‐opiate combinations were over‐represented in fatal‐outcome cases. This report emphasizes the role of OTC analgesics and antidepressants in overdose‐related mortality in England and Wales.