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We examined the number of patients tested for serum ethanol concentration (SEC) at admission to a large Emergency Department (ED) and the relationship of SEC with sex and age. SEC was analysed by enzymatic method. We retrieved SEC in patient samples from the ED during 2015–2020 from the laboratory information system. Altogether, 174 378 patients were admitted, and 7.3% were tested for SEC. Of these, 35.3% had a positive test. The percentage of patients tested increased from 4.8% in 2015 to 14.4% in 2020. A total of 416 patients had more than one positive SEC. For individual data, we included the first positive test per patient, n = 3607. Of these, 73% were men and 27% were women. The median SEC for both men and women was 1.9 g/L. About 4.4% had a SEC ≥ 3.5 g/L. The median SEC in patients aged 30–59 years was 0.2 g/L higher than the 12–29 and ≥ 60 age groups. In conclusion, the increase in the percentage of patients tested did not lead to a corresponding increase in ethanol‐positive tests. There was a large predominance of men, the median SEC was the same for men and women and highest in the 30–59 age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND In 2011, following a period with delivery problems, the only registered digitoxin drug in Norway was replaced with digoxin. As a result, approximately 21 000 patients had to replace digitoxin with digoxin. There are important pharmacokinetic differences between digitoxin and digoxin (the general term for both drugs is digitalis), which must be taken into account when changing therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate compliance of drug security, during the transition from digitoxin to digoxin in Norway.MATERIAL AND METHOD Enquiries addressed to the Norwegian Poison Information Centre and reports of fatal adverse effects to the Regional Drug Information Centres (RELIS) regarding intake of digitalis were analysed. Serum concentrations of digitoxin and digoxin analyzed at Oslo University Hospital were reviewed. All data sources were reviewed for the years 2010-2014 and patients > 20 years were included.RESULTS The total number of enquiries addressed to the Norwegian Poison Information Centre, fatal adverse drug reactions reported to RELIS, and patient samples in the toxic range analyzed at Oslo University Hospital increased from 2012, timewise related to the transition to digoxin.INTERPRETATION Despite extensive information from the Norwegian Medicines Agency, a small, transient increase was observed in the number of overdoses and reported deaths from digitalis related to change in therapy. The cause of the overdose was in many cases unknown. This study revealed several cases of incorrect dosage, simultaneous use of digitoxin and digoxin, and washout time that was insufficient or lacking before initiation of digoxin.

Background: The stimulating drug, Khat, is a drug of abuse that has become known in Norway due to increased immigration from East-Africa, especially Somalia., Method: Review of recent literature., Results: Khat is present in leaves from the tree Catha Edulis and is taken by chewing the leaves. The biologically active compounds are cathinone, cathine and norephedrine. Analysis of cathinone in urine can be performed at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The effects of khat are similar to, but weaker than those of amphetamine. Khat stimulates the central nervous system causing increased alertness, euphoria and occasionally psychosis, and increases activity in the peripheral sympathetic nervous system leading to palpitations, increased blood pressure, large pupils and red eyes. Tannin in khat damages teeth and causes constipation. With increased use of khat in the society it is important for the clinician to have some knowledge of the effects of khat.