A Common Cause of Poisoning Benzodiazepines A Common Cause of Poisoning Extent of the Problem Karen E. Simone, PharmD, DABAT Northern New England Poison Center (207)662-7221 simonk@mmc.org

Northern New England Poison Center Certified by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) in November 2004 Staff Hotline Outreach Surveillance Research Funding: Maine Medical Center; Fletcher Allen Health Care; States of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont; Health Resources and Services Administration; United Ways of Greater Portland, York, Kennebec Valley; Purdue Pharma L.P. (surveillance projects)

Learning Objectives: Describe the prevalence of benzodiazepines in overdoses reported to the Northern New England Poison Center (NNEPC). Indicate what poison data suggest regarding the contribution of benzodiazepines to the prescription drug abuse problem in the State of Maine. Name the most commonly abused benzodiazepines Discuss the prevalence of abuse of the newer hypnotics

Northern New England Poison Center Hotline Calls 2005

Northern New England Poison Center Hotline Calls 2005

Human and animal 7.4% of the exposures to benzos were in pets Human and Animal

Human only, some reasons only Substance Citings Human Human

Human only 0.5% in those < 6 years (#35) 0.3% in 6 – 12 years (#3) Human

Human and animal 3% in < 6 Years (#4) 9% in 6 – 12 Years (#18) Human and Animal