Prevalence of self-medication with over-the-counter (otc) drugs and its misuse among college of medicine students in De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute

Author

• Nathaniel Jonathan D. Ang
• John Eduard R. Bascon
• Juan Carlos M. Cortez
• Marc Llandro C. Fernandez
• Kate D.L. Mozo
• Alexander James S. Reinoso
• Cherielyn Joy A. Talaue
• Maria Angelika P. Brion
• Aerielle Maxine M. Buenaventura
• Johanna Mae O. Centeno
• Franchesca Layne L. De Grano
• Nyah Athene T. Gruezo
• Erjel J. Malabanan
• Jan Reynee Ortiz

Date of Completion

2024

Document Type

Community Medicine

Degree Name

Doctor of Medicine

Keywords

self-medication, over-the-counter drugs, medical students, misuse

Abstract

At present, there has been an increase in individuals self-medicating with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs due to its wide availability and easy accessibility even without medical prescription. However, despite being deemed generally safe, its misuse could lead to potential mild to severe health effects. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication using OTC drugs and its misuse among medical students. The research is descriptive cross-sectional. A total of 294 medical students from De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute answered the online questionnaire. Statistics were utilized to analyze the data. Among the 294 participants, 251 (85.4%) practice self-medication using OTC drugs. The most common reasons for self-medication using OTC drugs include previous experience (207) and quick relief (203). Antipyretics (231) are the most commonly used OTC drugs which are used to relieve fever. Most agree that they are aware of the proper usage of the drug they consume through several practices such as knowing the proper dose and dosage, determining expiration date, and reading instructions. Many also strongly disagree that OTC drugs are harmless regardless of how they are used. The majority neither agree nor disagree that OTC drugs are safer than prescription drugs. In relation, many acknowledge that OTC drugs can still cause side effects. In line with this, most of the participants recognized that OTC drugs are safe only if taken within the recommended dose. On the other hand, 146 (58.2%) participants are identified as occasionally changing the dosage of OTC drugs for several reasons such as improving or worsening conditions. Self-medication using OTC drugs is prevalent among the participants. Despite the majority showing a positive attitude towards the usage of OTC drugs, misuse practices such as changing the dosage are still occurring.

First Advisor

Queenie G. Dacayo, MD, FPAFP, DPCOM

APA Citation

Ang, N. D., Bascon, J. R., Cortez, J. M., Fernandez, M. C., Mozo, K. D., Reinoso, A. S., Talaue, C. A., Brion, M. P., Buenaventura, A. M., Centeno, J. O., De Grano, F. L., Gruezo, N. T., Malabanan, E. J., & Ortiz, J. (2024). Prevalence of self-medication with over-the-counter (otc) drugs and its misuse among college of medicine students in De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute. Community Medicine.
Retrieved from https://greenprints.dlshsi.edu.ph/commed/917