Medication Safety Notice - Risk of toxicity from ‘colic preparations’ containing belladonna
About this resource
There have been recent reports in other Australian states of calls to Poison Centres or of neonates/infants presenting to GPs or hospital emergency departments with suspected anticholinergic syndrome, after administration of a ‘colic preparation’ purchased online that contains belladonna. Advice from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and from the Poison Information Centre indicate that there are currently no cases reported in South Australia. However, it is noted that patients may present to other health care settings for follow up. This Medication Safety Notice is to inform SA health clinicians of the risk of toxicity associated with ‘colic preparations’ containing belladonna and advise that a heightened degree of suspicion for belladonna toxicity is warranted when assessing neonates/infants presenting with symptoms of anticholinergic syndrome.