This is the largest report of benzydamine ingestions. The outstanding feature was the high percentage of neurological manifestations in children and adults, mainly hallucinations, following the ingestion of an over-the-counter product.

Inhalation of volatile substance as abuse drugs has been detected in different age groups, including very young people. Although the principal source was industrial products, the use of drugs such as local anaesthetics and aerosol broncodilators was also detected. Based on epidemiological studies in the Spanish population (essentially adolescents and childhood) together with the ability of a Poison Center to detect sentinel-events, the community and authorities should develop strategies to prevent these exposures and the later use of other substances of abuse. In fact, recently a Law on Drug Dependences and Other Addictive Alterations has been approved in Madrid in order to take precautionary measures.

This is the first report of tetridamine overdoses. An effort should be made by physicians and pharmacists to explain clearly the correct directions for the use of vaginal irrigation preparations.