News (2023)

See how the Maryland Poison Center is making headlines across the state of Maryland and beyond in 2023.

Please visit the  to explore stories that highlight previous accomplishments and publications at the Maryland Poison Center.

Recent News:

Various edible cannabis products

Cannabis Edibles Highlighted in November/December Issue of MPC's Poison Prevention Press
Date Published: December 15, 2023
Edibles are products that contain cannabis that can be consumed. They come in many forms that you can eat or drink and are quickly growing in popularity. Read more...

Rivastigmine for Anticholinergic Delirium Spotlighted in October Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: October 27, 2023
Shortage of physostigmine has driven investigations for alternatives to
treat anticholinergic delirium. Rivastigmine has been a drug of interest because, like physostigmine, it is a tertiary amine that can cross the blood brain barrier. Read more...

Medicine cup with orange liquid medicine inside, and a medicine syringe next to the cup.

Measuring Medicine Safely Highlighted in September/October Issue of MPC's Poison Prevention Press
Date Published: October 25, 2023
Measuring medicine, also called dosing, can be confusing! Health care providers and pharmacists use many different terms when talking about dosing units. Read more...

Phospholipid Forms in the Blood

Intravenous Lipid Emulsion—Update Spotlighted in September Issue of MPC’s ToxTidbits
Date Published: September 7, 2023
In 2010, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine published a systematic approach for treating local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST). A part of these recommendations included use of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) therapy. Read more...

Dr. Bruce Anderson on the left and Dr. Sarah Michel

Executive Director Bruce Anderson Retires from Maryland Poison Center
Date Published: August 8, 2023
On June 29, the Maryland Poison Center community came together to celebrate the tenure of Bruce Anderson, PharmD, DABAT, FACCT, and his retirement as MPC executive director and professor in the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research. Read more...

Hydrated water beads in a bowl with a child's hands holding some water beads above the bowl

The Facts About Water Beads Highlighted in the July/August Issue of MPC's Poison Prevention Press
Date Published: July 27, 2023
Water beads have many uses and come in a variety of different forms. If ingested, they can cause physical harm and have the potential of causing a severe, and sometimes deadly, small bowel obstruction in children. Read more…

Psilocybin cubensis mushrooms

Magic Mushrooms Spotlighted in July Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: July 26, 2023
Psychoactive substances have been used in religious ceremonies, and recreationally for thousands of years. Psilocybin can be found in hundreds of species of mushrooms throughout the world. Read more...

Cardiac glycoside poisoning Spotlighted in June Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: June 29, 2023
Digoxin was originally derived from Digitalis lanata, a foxglove species. There are two mechanisms of action. Read more...

Water beads

Little to Large Problem: Danger of Water Beads Spotlighted in May Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: May 30, 2023
Water beads have many uses and come in a variety of different forms. Water beads pose a physical burden and have the potential of causing severe and fatal small bowel obstructions in the pediatric population. Read more...

Fingers getting skin cream out of a tub

Skin Lightening Products Highlighted in the May/June Issue of MPC's Poison Prevention Press
Date Published: May 17, 2023
Skin lightening products often say they’ll give you lighter, clearer skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots on your face, like acne scars or freckles. However, many skin lightening products contain dangerous ingredients that can actually harm the health of your skin and cause serious, long-term health problems. Read more...

Counterfeit Alptazolam tablets from the DEA

Nitazenes – the mu kids on the block Spotlighted in the April Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: April 26, 2023
Nitazenes are synthetic opioids from the benzimidazole-opioid class of drugs. They do not resemble fentanyl in structure but nonetheless act as highly potent mu-opioid agonists and can be up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl. Read more...

Edible cannabis chocolate products

Problematic Cannabis Use in Adults Spotlighted in the March Issue of MPC's ToxTidbits
Date Published: March 27, 2023
Cannabis use in the United States has risen over the last 20 years with
changes in cannabis legalization. Most states have some form of cannabis legalization or decriminalization. Read more...

Tiny Doctor Characters with Drugs and Equipment at Huge Human Heart Measure Pulse and Cholesterol Level for Diagnose and Treatment. Cardiology Health Care, Medicine. Cartoon People Vector Illustration

Heart Medicines Highlighted in the March/April Issue of MPC's Poison Prevention Press
Date Published: March 21, 2023
Cardiovascular (heart) medicines are used to treat diseases of the heart and high blood pressure. Read more...

Main image for National Poison Prevention Week 2023, taking place March 19-25, 2023

Maryland Poison Center Celebrates National Poison Prevention Week
Date Published: March 1, 2023
Observed March 19-25, National Poison Prevention Week helps raise awareness about the dangers of poisonings and promotes steps that everyone can take to prevent them. Read more..

Babysitter playing with toys with two young children

Babysitting Poison Safety Highlighted in the January/February Issue of MPC's Poison Prevention Press
Date Published: January 18, 2023
Before you go out for a date night, here are some important things to do and talk about with your babysitter. Read more...