ANTIDEPRESSANT OVERDOSAGE IN CHILDREN—A NEW MENACE

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Abstract
Tricyclic antidepressant overdosage admissions have trebled at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, during the past year. It is now the commonest cause of admission to hospital for drug overdosage. The group mainly at risk is the small child aged four years and younger. There have been 58 patients admitted since 1966; 35 have been admitted In the past year. Of these, 19 patients had clinical features of serious overdosage, and two died. This paper outlines the pharmacology, and discusses the groups at risk, the source of the tablets, and the clinical features and dangers of overdosage. It is a preventable condition. Its frequency could be reduced by the use of safety tops for containers, or foil wrapping for tablets; the presentation of tablets In a less tempting form; education of parents, and the installation of child‐proof poison cupboards In homes; and a more careful consideration of the therapeutic indications.