A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON USE OF OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS
Main Article Content
Keywords
Over-the-counter drugs; Self-medication; Drug use; Medical students; Rational pharmacotherapy.
Abstract
Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are widely used for self-medication due to their easy availability and perceived safety. Medical students are particularly vulnerable to OTC drug use because of partial pharmacological knowledge, academic stress, and easy access to medicines.
Objective: To assess the prevalence, patterns, indications, and awareness regarding the use of over-the-counter medications among undergraduate medical students.
Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Data on frequency of OTC drug use, drug categories, indications, sources of information, and awareness of adverse effects were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: Over-the-counter drug use was common among the participants, with 55% reporting use once every few months. Cold and cough preparations (64.4%) and analgesics (53.10%) were the most frequently used medications. The predominant indications were cold and cough (66%) and fever (60.7%). Earlier personal experience (67%) and advice from friends and family (46.5%) were the major influencing factors. Although 68% of students were aware of potential adverse effects, inappropriate self-medication practices were still prevalent.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of OTC drug use among undergraduate medical students highlights the need for strengthened pharmacology-based education focusing on rational drug use, drug safety, and responsible self-medication practices.
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Dr Sarath S Nair
Postgraduate MD Pharmacology
Dr Basavaraj Bhandare
Department of Pharmacology Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital Bangalore , Karnataka ,India
