[Doping in sports. Cases reported to the Poison Control Center of Marseille from 1992 to 2000].

Objective: To study the doping substances used in sport and their toxicity.

Methods: Retrospective analysis from January 1992 to December 2000 of the cases of use of doping substances in sport reported by telephone to the anti-poison center in Marseilles.

Results: Fifty-one cases were reported concerning 48 men and 3 women with a mean age of 30, ranging from 10 to 55 years.

[Accidental ingestion of paracetamol in the for of the pediatric syrup EFFERALGAN: case studies during the six months following the institution of the child-proof top].

During the 6 months following the child-proof top commercialisation for the paediatric syrup EFFERALGAN in France, 51 cases of accidental ingestion were collected by the Marseilles Poison Centre. For 21 pour cent of them, the alleged dose taken was greater than the toxic dose. For 2 cases only, the responsible bottle had a child-proof top and was open on the table.

[Accidental ingestions of paracetamol in the form of EFFERALGAN pediatric syrup: experience of the Marseille Anti-poison Center during 1998].

In 1998, 77 cases of accidental ingestion of paracetamol paediatric syrup (Efferalgan) in children were notified to the Marseille Poison Centre. In a quarter of them, the alleged dose taken was greater than the toxic dose. Ingestion was mainly due to the child opening the bottle.

[Spontaneous rupture of the spleen under ticlopidine. Apropos of two cases].

We observed two cases of spontaneous rupture of an apparently healthy spleen in two patients who were taking ticlopidine as anti-platelet aggregation treatment. The notion that the spleen was apparently healthy was based on well-defined criteria, essential for the imputability of the spontaneous lesions. In general drug-induced spontaneous ruptures of the spleen have been reported for anticoagulants but no case due to antiplatelet aggregation has been reported to our knowledge.

[A surveillance method for products used by drug addicts examined in emergency units].

Products used in a toxicomaniac way are in rapid change, and different from different area. Users too have to be better known. Authors present a simple survey method of these products, based on sample use.

[Febrile convulsions: should some drugs be contraindicated?].

Should certain drugs be contraindicated in children who have had febrile seizures or who present a risk of convulsions? There are no publications dealing specifically with this problem. However, many drugs can induce convulsions and may be dangerous if they are associated with another determining factor (e.g.

[Role of pharmacovigilance center in information for the public on drugs. Experience in Marseille on 9 month].

We analyzed the role of the Marseille pharmacovigilance center (working in collaboration with the local poison treatment center) in informing the general public on medicinal drugs. Over a 9-month period, the center received 115 requests from members of the public for information. 82.

[Transdermal scopolamine and mydriasis].

The authors report five cases of mydriasis induced by the use of transdermal scopolamine delivery systems. Anisocoria and narrow angle glaucoma were involved in four cases; in one case, the use of a strong dosage resulted in a bilateral mydriasis in a child.