Introduction: Drug overdose continues to be most common causes of acute poisoning all over the world [1]. Acute drug overdosing cases land up in ICU due to quick metabolic derangements and possibility of organ dysfunction [4]. The pattern and nature of drug overdose vary geographically. Aims: To determine the clinical pattern of drug overdose, duration of hospital stay and outcome in terms of discharge or death. Methods: A retrospective review was done of the medical records of 40 adult patients admitted with a diagnosis of acute drug overdose, In a tertiary care Centre excluding patients less than 18 year old and those presenting with only alcohol abuse.
Results: Retrospective study was done in 40 patients. Study shows that, 16 (40%) male patients and 24 (60%) female patients admitted with drug overdose. The individual category of drugs contributing most frequently included Benzodiazepine (22.5%); Antiepileptic (15.0%); Antihypertensive (12.5%); NSAIDS (12.5%); Oral hypoglycaemic agents (10.0%) and Unknown
(12.5%). Out of forty patients, 17 (42.5%) required less than 24 hour of ICU observation, 14 (35.5%) required less than 48 hour of ICU observation and 9 (22.5%) required more than 48 hour of observation. The total in hospital duration due to drug overdose was 2 days (5%), 2 to 6 days (87.5%) and more than 6 days (7.5%). Out of forty patients, 38 (95%) patients treated and got discharged and 2 (5%) patients died. Conclusion: In acute drug poisoning, a high index of clinical suspicion and an early and prompt intensive medical therapy could improve the patient outcome. Thepattern of illicit poisoning warrants the development of suitable preventive measures. In particular there is an imminent need to create awareness in the society to identify the circumstances leading to illicit drug use among the youth.