Keywords: allergic rhinitis, common cold, self-medication, anti-allergic drug, sympathomimetic agent, toxic effects

Abstract: The authors discuss the present knowledge about medicines used for treatment of rhinitis and analyse the occurrence of intoxication in the urban area of São Paulo due to these medicines (anti-histamines, corticosteroids, decongestants, nosedrops). We found a significant incidence of these cases (2.66% of all cases reported to Centro de Controle de intoxicações and Centro de Assistência Toxicológica (CEATOX) referral centres for poisoning). There was a marked prevalence of intoxication in Children (94% of intoxication due to bacterial antigens) and females (75% of intoxication caused by anti-allergic drugs). The majority of poisoning was caused by accidental ingestion of medicines. We also propose alternatives in order to avoid intoxication caused by ingestion of medicines used for treatment of rhinitis.