Frequency and Severity of Adverse Drug Reactions Due to Self-Medication: A Cross-Sectional Multicentre Survey in Emergency Departments

Abstract

Background Little is known about the relation of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to self-use of medications. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and severity of ADRs related to self-medication (ADR-SM) among emergency department (ED) patients and to describe their main characteristics. Methods A prospective, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted over a period of 8 weeks (1 March to 20 April 2010), in the ED of 11 French academic hospitals. Adult patients presenting to the ED during randomization periods were included, with the exception of cases of selfdrug poisoning, inability to complete self-medication questionnaire, or refusal. Clinical outcomes were assessed as well as history of self-medication behaviours and all drugs taken. All doubtful files and those related to ADR-SM were systematically reviewed by an expert committee. Results A total of 3,027 of 4,661 patients presenting to the ED met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 84.4 % declared a self-medication behaviour, 63.7 % took at least one non-prescribed drug during the previous 2 weeks and 59.9 % took a prescribed medication. A total of 296 patients experienced an ADR (9.78 %), of which 52 (1.72 %) were related to self-medication. Those ADRs related to self-medication included prescribed drugs (n = 19), non-prescribed drugs (n = 17), treatment discontinuation (n = 14), and interactions between non-prescribed and prescribed drugs (n = 2). The ADRs attributed Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article

Awareness of adverse drug reactions in third M.B.B.S students practicing self-medication

“…A study cites that 1.72% out of 9.78% of ADRs related admissions to emergency wards of 11 French academic hospitals were due to self-medication. 9 These ADRs were caused due to both prescription and non-prescription drugs.…”

Self-Administration of Medicines and Dietary Supplements Among Female Amateur Runners: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…While an appropriate self-administration of these remedies can provide some benefit (e.g., patient empowerment, reduction of health expenditure by government) [3], a non-responsible use can lead to serious health hazards [6, 8] (e.g., misuse, wrong dosage, adverse health events or interactions). The results of three recent studies [4–6] demonstrated that self-administration of substances is more prevalent among women probably because they seem more willing than men to recognize and voice the symptoms of health ailments [7].…”

Prevalence of Parental Self Medication and Its Possible Effect to Their Children in Al-Madinah , Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“…Unjustified and inappropriate self-medication results in wastage of healthcare resources and increases resistance of pathogens, drug-drug interactions, and adverse drug reactions leading to hospital admissions [12,13,14,15]. Most of the studies on self-medication in children have investigated the use of medicines by children themselves [16,17].…”

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