Abstract

SELF MEDICATION PRACTICES AMONG ADULTS – A SURVEY

Dr. Parveen Shaik*, Arkari Rishitha, Ayeesha Nazneen, Badagouni Somnath, Baru Bhanu vara Prasad and Basangari Sindhu

ABSTRACT

Self-Medication (SM) is a practice of using medications to treat self-diagnosed symptoms without a legitimate prescription by a health care professional. Self-medication is one of the major health concerns worldwide and World concern regarding self-medication practices, which has dramatically increased in the last few decades, especially in the developing countries. The major problems associated with self-medication practice have been drug resistance, drug side effects, wastage of resources, and serious health hazards including death. Most OTC drugs are usually categorized into pain Health Organization has laid emphasis on correctly investigating and controlling it. There is a relievers, cough remedies, anti-allergens, laxatives, vitamins, antacids etc. Self-medication is usually defined as an intake of any type of drugs for treatment without professional supervision to relieve an illness or a condition.

Keywords: Self-Medication, Side effects, Over the counter (OTC Drugs), Health hazards, World Health Organization (WHO).