Análise epidemiológica das intoxicações por medicamentos no Brasil: insights dos registros do Sinan

Abstract

Medications are among the technological advances that provide various benefits to the user; however, they also bring significant risks associated with their use. This study examined the incidence of medication-related poisonings based on data from the Notifiable Disease Information System (Sinan) during the years 2020 to 2023. In Brazil, 693,143 poisonings were recorded during this period, of which just over 50% are related to medications. The highest number of cases corresponded to the female population and the age group of 20 to 39 years. According to Sinan, the main circumstances leading to poisonings were suicide attempts, accidental use, and self-medication, with the Southeast region leading in the number of cases registered in the system. Medication poisonings constitute a serious public health issue, requiring preventive measures and health promotion. This underscores the importance of educational initiatives aimed at the population to reduce accidents and related damages. Thus, in addition to deepening our understanding of current trends in medication poisonings, this study also encourages the mobilization of all actors involved in promoting public health.