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Current Drug Safety Oct 2010Self-medication is defined as the selection and use of medicines by individuals (or a member of the individuals' family) to treat self-recognized or self-diagnosed... (Review)
Review
Self-medication is defined as the selection and use of medicines by individuals (or a member of the individuals' family) to treat self-recognized or self-diagnosed conditions or symptoms. Several benefits have been linked to appropriate self-medication, among them: increased access to medication and relief for the patient, the active role of the patient in his or her own health care, better use of physicians and pharmacists skills and reduced (or at least optimized) burden of governments due to health expenditure linked to the treatment of minor health conditions However, self-medication is far from being a completely safe practice, in particular in the case of non-responsible self-medication. Potential risks of self-medication practices include: incorrect self-diagnosis, delays in seeking medical advice when needed, infrequent but severe adverse reactions, dangerous drug interactions, incorrect manner of administration, incorrect dosage, incorrect choice of therapy, masking of a severe disease and risk of dependence and abuse. In this short review the author analyzes recent literature on some of the most important dangers related to self-medication practices, particularly: polypharmacy and drug interactions, medications abuse or dependence, misdiagnosis and incorrect choice of treatment. The author also proposes measures that could be adopted in order to solve or improve these issues.
Topics: Drug Interactions; Humans; Medication Errors; Nonprescription Drugs; Polypharmacy; Risk Assessment; Self Medication; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 20615179
DOI: 10.2174/157488610792245966 -
Drug Safety 2001Self medication is becoming an increasingly important area within healthcare. It moves patients towards greater independence in making decisions about management of... (Review)
Review
Self medication is becoming an increasingly important area within healthcare. It moves patients towards greater independence in making decisions about management of minor illnesses, thereby promoting empowerment. Self medication also has advantages for healthcare systems as it facilitates better use of clinical skills, increases access to medication and may contribute to reducing prescribed drug costs associated with publicly funded health programmes. However, self medication is associated with risks such as misdiagnosis, use of excessive drug dosage, prolonged duration of use, drug interactions and polypharmacy. The latter may be particularly problematic in the elderly. Monitoring systems, a partnership between patients, physicians and pharmacists and the provision of education and information to all concerned on safe self medication, are proposed strategies for maximising benefit and minimising risk.
Topics: Drug Therapy; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Humans; Risk Assessment; Self Medication
PubMed: 11735659
DOI: 10.2165/00002018-200124140-00002 -
Harvard Review of Psychiatry 1997The self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders derives primarily from clinical observations of patients with substance use disorders. Individuals discover that... (Review)
Review
The self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders derives primarily from clinical observations of patients with substance use disorders. Individuals discover that the specific actions or effects of each class of drugs relieve or change a range of painful affect states. Self-medication factors occur in a context of self-regulation vulnerabilities--primarily difficulties in regulating affects, self-esteem, relationships, and self-care. Persons with substance use disorders suffer in the extreme with their feelings, either being overwhelmed with painful affects or seeming not to feel their emotions at all. Substances of abuse help such individuals to relieve painful affects or to experience or control emotions when they are absent or confusing. Diagnostic studies provide evidence that variously supports and fails to support a self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders. The cause-consequence controversy involving psychopathology and substance use/abuse is reviewed and critiqued. In contrast, clinical observations and empirical studies that focus on painful affects and subjective states of distress more consistently suggest that such states of suffering are important psychological determinants in using, becoming dependent upon, and relapsing to addictive substances. Subjective states of distress and suffering involved in motives to self-medicate with substances of abuse are considered with respect to nicotine dependence and to schizophrenia and posttraumatic stress disorder comorbid with a substance use disorder.
Topics: Humans; Self Medication; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 9385000
DOI: 10.3109/10673229709030550 -
La Revue Du Praticien Dec 2012
Review
Topics: Humans; Legislation, Medical; Medication Errors; Patient Education as Topic; Pharmacovigilance; Self Medication
PubMed: 23424934
DOI: No ID Found -
Research in Social & Administrative... Jul 2023Decreasing the prevalence of antibiotic self-medication among the public requires proper understanding of the risk factors involved. However, the determinants of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Decreasing the prevalence of antibiotic self-medication among the public requires proper understanding of the risk factors involved. However, the determinants of antibiotic self-medication are not well defined.
OBJECTIVES
To identify patient and health system-related determinants of antibiotic self-medication among the public.
METHODS
A systematic review of quantitative observational studies and qualitative studies was undertaken. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to identify studies on determinants of antibiotic self-medication. The data were analyzed using meta-analysis, descriptive analysis, and thematic analysis.
RESULTS
Sixty-eight studies were included in the review. From meta-analyses, male sex (pooled odds ratio [POR]: 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-1.75), lack of satisfaction with healthcare services/physicians (POR: 3.53, 95% CI: 2.26-4.75) were associated with antibiotic self-medication. In subgroup analysis, lower age was directly associated with self-medication in high-income countries (POR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.10-2.36). In low- and middle-income countries, people with greater knowledge of antibiotics were less likely to self-medicate (POR: 0.2, 95% CI: 0.08-0.47). Patient-related determinants identified from descriptive and qualitative studies included previous experience with antibiotics and similar symptoms, perceived low severity of disease, intention to save time and get better quickly, cultural beliefs about curative power of antibiotics, advice from family/friends, and having home stock of antibiotics. Health system-related determinants included high cost of consulting physicians and low cost of self-medication, lack of access to physician/medical care, lack of trust/confidence in physicians, greater trust in pharmacists, long distance of physicians/healthcare facilities, long waiting time at healthcare facilities, easy access to antibiotics from pharmacies, and convenience associated with self-medication.
CONCLUSIONS
Patient and health system-related determinants are associated with antibiotic self-medication. Interventions to decrease antibiotic self-medication should incorporate community programs along with appropriate policies and healthcare reforms targeting these determinants with specific attention to population at high risk of self-medication.
Topics: Humans; Male; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Self Medication; Pharmacists; Health Services; Physicians
PubMed: 37019706
DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.03.009 -
BMC Public Health Feb 2019Although over the counter (OTC) drugs are believed to be relatively safe, their inappropriate use could have serious implications. The aim of the study was to assess the...
BACKGROUND
Although over the counter (OTC) drugs are believed to be relatively safe, their inappropriate use could have serious implications. The aim of the study was to assess the practice of self-medication, prevalence of risky practice and its associated factors in pharmacy outlets of Asmara, Eritrea.
METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 609 customers in 20 pharmacy outlets in Asmara between August and September, 2017. Two-stage cluster sampling was employed and data were collected using a structured questionnaire through face to face exit interviews. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were performed using SPSS (version 22).
RESULTS
Of the 609 customers, 93.7% had practiced self-medication with OTC drugs; of which 81.8% were at risky practice. On average, each participant was using OTC drugs at least once a month (Median = 1, IQR = 3.67). Educational level (p < 0.0001), religion (p = 0.047), occupation (p = 0.027) and knowledge regarding OTC drugs (p = 0.019) were significantly associated with risky practice. Respondents with elementary and below educational level were fifteen times (AOR = 15.49, CI: 1.97, 121.80) at higher risk compared to those with higher education, and students were almost three times (AOR = 2.96, CI: 1.13, 7.73) at higher risk than governmental employees. Furthermore, respondents with below average score in knowledge were more likely to be engaged in risky practice (AOR = 1.83, CI: 1.11, 3.04) compared to those with above average score. The most frequently preferred OTC drug group was analgesics (34.3%) followed by antipyretics (15.7%) and cough and cold preparations (14.2%). About 14% of the respondents admitted that they had taken more than the recommended dose and 6.9% had experienced drug related problems following the consumption of OTC drugs. Always, 35% of the respondents read package insert(s) and 73.9% check expiry dates while purchasing OTC drugs. Refrigerating OTC drugs, where it is not recommended, was also one of the prominent risky practices.
CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed that inappropriate self-medication practice with OTC drugs was prevalent requiring early intervention to minimize the risks.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cross-Sectional Studies; Eritrea; Female; Health Risk Behaviors; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nonprescription Drugs; Pharmacies; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Self Medication; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 30727984
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6470-5 -
Pharmacology Research & Perspectives Apr 2021Self-medication can facilitate patients' access to medicinal products, save time, and reduce financial and health-care service use burden. On the other hand,...
Self-medication can facilitate patients' access to medicinal products, save time, and reduce financial and health-care service use burden. On the other hand, irresponsible use of self-medications can result in adverse consequences. Self-medication is common among different demographic groups including pregnant women. In general, medicinal products might have harmful effects on mothers and baby. This study aimed to assess self-medication practices among pregnant women in the northern region of Jordan. A cross-sectional study was conducted on pregnant women attending outpatient clinics in the northern region of Jordan. Self-medication practices among the target population were assessed using a survey questionnaire that was administered through interviewer-assisted mode. Data were collected between December 2019 and September 2020, and descriptive statistics and inferential analysis were applied. A total of 1,313 pregnant women were surveyed (response rate = 95.50%). Self-medication and the use of herbal remedies were practiced by 33.10% and 32.14% of the participant, respectively. Headaches and general pains were the most frequently reported conditions treated by self-medication practice with either conventional medicinal products or herbal remedies. The gravidity (≥4) and the gestational stage (≥28 weeks) were the predictors of self-medication practice. This study showed that self-medication was not widely practiced by pregnant women in the northern region of Jordan. Disease simplicity and previous history were the main motives for self-medicating. Efforts should be made by health-care providers to address pregnant women and educate them to increase their awareness about the unsafe use of medicines and the harmful effects on fetus.
Topics: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gestational Age; Gravidity; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Jordan; Outpatients; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Self Medication; Young Adult
PubMed: 33641261
DOI: 10.1002/prp2.735 -
European Journal of Public Health Jun 2015We performed a systematic review and proportion meta-analysis in order to investigate the prevalence and the adverse effects of the self-medication among the teenagers. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
We performed a systematic review and proportion meta-analysis in order to investigate the prevalence and the adverse effects of the self-medication among the teenagers.
METHODS
We selected observational studies published from January 1990 until January 2014 that examined the use of self-medication in the adolescents (aged from 13 to 18 years). Keywords used on PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge and Scopus were 'self medication', 'adolescent*', 'self prescription', 'over the counter preparations' and 'self administration'.
RESULTS
Finally, 15 articles met the inclusion criteria, for a total of 143 213 subjects involved. Overall, 50% of adolescents use to take drugs without consulting a physician. Further analyses stratified by number of drugs used demonstrated that in the studies reporting that adolescents use more than one type of drug the prevalence rises up to 63%. Only one study reported the possible adverse effects related to the inappropriate use of drugs, which were experienced by 31.1% of the females and 19.6% of the males.
CONCLUSIONS
Self-medication use among adolescents is a widespread phenomenon. It would be advisable to give more attention on this public health concern and to promote initiatives, such as mass media campaigns and governmental actions, in order to make the citizens more aware to the risks related to the consumption of drugs without medical consultation. Further studies on adverse effects are urgently needed.
Topics: Adolescent; Female; Humans; Internationality; Male; Nonprescription Drugs; Observational Studies as Topic; Self Medication; Sex Distribution
PubMed: 25479758
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cku207 -
Inquiry : a Journal of Medical Care... 2023To evaluate the prevalence, influencing factors, and behavior rules of self-medication in children. Articles on self-medication in children from various electronic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
To evaluate the prevalence, influencing factors, and behavior rules of self-medication in children. Articles on self-medication in children from various electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, the WHO website (https://www.who.int/), ABI, CNKI, and Wanfang), were searched to August 2022. The single-group meta-analyses of the prevalence, influencing factors, and behavior rules of self-medication in children were performed using Revman 5.3 and Stata 16.0. The overall pooled prevalence of self-medication in children was 57% (95% CI: 0.39-0.75, = 100%, < .00001 = 6.22). The pooled prevalence for main influencing factors, in terms of caregivers, was: 73% (95% CI: 0.72-0.75, = 100%, < .00001, = 111.18) for those in rural areas; 55% (95% CI: 0.51-0.59, = .04, = 26.92, = 68%, < .00001) for females; 75% (95% CI: 0.74-0.76, = 68%, < .00001, = 106.66) for those whose income was less than 716 dollars; 77% (95% CI: 0.75-0.79, = 99%, < .000001, = 92.59) for the middle-aged and elderly; and 72% (95% CI: 0.58-87, = 99%, < .00001, = 9.82) for those with a degree below bachelor. In the process of self-medication for children, 19% (95% CI: 0.06-0.32, = 99%, < .00001, = 2.82) of the caregivers did not read the instructions, 28% (95% CI: -0.03-0.60, = 100%, < .000001, = 1.77) neglected adverse effects, 49% (95% CI: 0.11-0.87, = 100%, = .01, = 2.51) spontaneously increased or decreased the dosages, 49% (95% CI: 0.48-0.55, = 65%, < .00001, = 16.51) had an awareness of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and 41% (95% CI: 0.18-0.64, = 99%, < .00001, = 3.49) misrecognized the antibiotics. Self-medication for children was common, although the overall prevalence was not very high. The prevalence of self-medication in children was relatively higher among those caregivers who were female, rural, had low-income, were elder, or had a degree below bachelor. Common behaviors during self-medication in children included spontaneous dose increase or decrease, a lack of awareness of OTC drugs, and misconception of antibiotics. Government departments should formulate corresponding policies to provide quality health education resources for the caregivers of children.
Topics: Aged; Middle Aged; Humans; Female; Child; Male; Self Medication; Nonprescription Drugs; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Prevalence; Poverty
PubMed: 36998210
DOI: 10.1177/00469580231159744 -
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 1996
Review
Topics: Anthropology, Cultural; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Self Medication; Sex Work; Sexually Transmitted Diseases
PubMed: 8885064
DOI: 10.1097/00007435-199609000-00002