Increase in Medication Poisoning Cases Reported by Ministry of Health

As of April 30 of this year, Armenia has recorded a total of 211 cases of medication poisoning (compared to 207 during the same period in 2018), with 108 cases occurring in Yerevan (up from 93 last year) and 103 in the regions (down from 114 last year). There have been no reported fatalities, as stated by the Ministry of Health.

The majority of incidents were due to self-medication (36%), parental negligence (37.9%), and suicide attempts (9.9%). Most cases were among children (53.6%), and there has also been an increase among women compared to last year (59.2%).

The most common poisonings are caused by analgesics and psychotropic medications. Investigations into the causes reveal that medications prescribed by doctors for individuals with mental health issues are not always monitored by their relatives, and some individuals have used these medications for self-treatment or suicidal purposes.

The primary reason for poisoning from analgesics is self-medication. There are also notable cases of poisoning from potassium permanganate and carbamazepine.

In order to avoid medication poisoning and related complications, the Ministry of Health recommends:

• Consulting a doctor before taking medications,
• Not independently changing the dosage and frequency of prescribed medications,
• Familiarizing oneself with the instructions for using over-the-counter medications,
• Avoiding the combination of alcohol with medications,
• Not mixing medications without doctor's advice,
• Following the medication storage guidelines.