Impact of Self-medications and Medications Misuse on Health Outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59992/IJSR.2023.v2n12p21Keywords:
Misuse, Self-medications, Antibiotics, Opioids, AnalgesicsAbstract
Introduction: The availability of prescription drugs as OTC medications is also becoming more common. However, self-medication carries risks such as misdiagnosis, use of excessive drug doses, prolonged use, and drug interactions. This review aimed to collect evidence about the impact of self-medications on health outcomes.
Methods: The systematic review in this study involved several steps to identify and assess relevant research. The search phase involved finding potentially relevant studies in various databases such as PubMed, PsychInfo, EBSCO Medline, BioMed central, and Science Direct. The screening phase involved applying predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria to determine which studies were appropriate for the review. To conclude the selection process, the full text of the articles was reviewed to determine whether they met the inclusion criteria. Additionally, the full text of review articles was reviewed to identify any additional articles that might be relevant and included in the review.
Results: A total of 17 studies were found that met the inclusion criteria. The majority (11/17) of these studies were cross-sectional and relied on self-report. The combined sample size of the 17 studies was 28,628 (ranging from 5 to 5,426), and the average response rate was 66%. In 76% of the studies, reported self-treatment was 50% (ranging from 12% to 99%). Overall, only one or two respondents were registered with a general practitioner (GP) or primary care physician (mean of 56%, ranging from 21% to 96%). In the 13 studies that provided information on self-prescription, the mean percentage of physicians reporting self-prescription was 61% with a standard deviation of 25% and a range of 9% to 99%.
Conclusions: Although many patients view over-the-counter (OTC) medications as completely safe, their use always carries some degree of risk for the consumer. This is especially true for patients who do not follow the instructions on the label or package insert.
References
1. Alzahrani, Samer A., Bin Muammar, Mohammed F., Bin Muammar, Abdullah F., Alolah, Ahmed. and Almutawa, Mohammed. The Adoption and Acceptance of mHealth Interventions for SelfManagement of Hypertension Among Adult Patients: A Systematic Review. (2022), 23(1); 102-109.
2. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. 26(2); 106-113.
3. Montgomery, A., Bradley, C., Rochfort, A. and Panagopoulou, E. A review of self-medication in physicians and medical students. (2011) Occupational Medicine. 61(7); 490-497.
4. Alhomoud, Faten., Aljamea, Zainab., Almahasnah, Reem., Alkhalifah, Khawlah., Basalelah, Lama., Kais Alhomoud, Farah., Petersen, Eskild., Denmark, Aar- Hus. and U M M A R Y, S. Selfmedication and self-prescription with antibiotics in the Middle East—do they really happen? A systematic review of the prevalence, possible reasons, and outcomes. (2017) International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 57; 3-12.
5. Syed, Ilyas., Shehnaz,., Agarwal, Anoop. and Khan, Nelofer. A Systematic Review of SelfMedication Practices Among Adolescents. (2014) Journal of Adolescent Health. 55(4); 467-483.
6. Evoy, Kirk., Morrison, Megan. and Saklad, Stephen. Abuse and Misuse of Pregabalin and Gabapentin. (2017) Drugs. 77(4); 403-426.
7. Bhuvaraghan, Aarthi., King, Rebecca., Larvin, Harriet. and Aggarwal, Vishal. Antibiotic Use and Misuse in Dentistry in India—A Systematic Review. (2021) Antibiotics. 10(12); 1459.
8. Garland, E. L., Pettus-Davis, C., & Howard, M. O. (2013). Self-medication among traumatized youth: Structural equation modeling of pathways between trauma history, substance misuse, and psychological distress. Journal of behavioral medicine, 36(2), 175-185.
9. Rather, I. A., Kim, B. C., Bajpai, V. K., & Park, Y. H. (2017). Self-medication and antibiotic resistance: Crisis, current challenges, and prevention. Saudi journal of biological sciences, 24(4), 808-812.
10. Hughes, C. M. (2003). Monitoring self-medication. Expert opinion on drug safety, 2(1), 1-5. 11. Grigoryan, L., Monnet, D. L., HaaijerRuskamp, F. M., Bonten, M. J., Lundborg, S., & Verheij, T. J. (2010). Self-medication with antibiotics in Europe: a case for action. Current drug safety, 5(4), 329-332.
11. Montastruc, J. L., Bondon-Guitton, E., Abadie, D., Lacroix, I., Berreni, A., Pugnet, G., ... & Montastruc, F. (2016). Pharmacovigilance, risks and adverse effects of self-medication. Therapies, 71(2), 257-262.
12. Montgomery, A. J., Bradley, C., Rochfort, A., & Panagopoulou, E. (2011). A review of selfmedication in physicians and medical students. Occupational medicine, 61(7), 490-497.
13. Grigoryan, L., Monnet, D. L., HaaijerRuskamp, F. M., Bonten, M. J., Lundborg, S., & Verheij, T. J. (2010). Self-medication with antibiotics in Europe: a case for action. Current drug safety, 5(4), 329-332.
14. Limaye, D., Limaye, V., Krause, G., & Fortwengel, G. (2017). A systematic review of the literature to assess self-medication practices. Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research.
15. Noone, J., & Blanchette, C. M. (2018). The value of self-medication: summary of existing evidence. Journal of medical economics, 21(2), 201211.
16. Galato, D., Galafassi, L. D. M., Alano, G. M., & Trauthman, S. C. (2009). Responsible selfmedication: review of the process of pharmaceutical attendance. Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 45, 625-633.
17. Shaghaghi, A., Asadi, M., & Allahverdipour, H. (2014). Predictors of self-medication behavior: a systematic review. Iranian journal of public health, 43(2), 136.
18. Nepal, G., & Bhatta, S. (2018). Selfmedication with antibiotics in WHO Southeast Asian Region: a systematic review. Cureus, 10(4).
19. Ayalew, M. B. (2017). Self-medication practice in Ethiopia: a systematic review. Patient preference and adherence, 11, 401.
20. Bennadi, D. (2013). Self-medication: A current challenge. Journal of basic and clinical pharmacy, 5(1), 19.
21. Jerez-Roig, J., Medeiros, L. F., Silva, V. A., Bezerra, C. L., Cavalcante, L. A., Piuvezam, G., & Souza, D. L. (2014). Prevalence of self-medication and associated factors in an elderly population: a systematic review. Drugs & aging, 31(12), 883-896.
