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OverviewSelf-medication is the treatment of common health problems with medicines especially designed and labeled for use without medical supervision and approved as safe and effective for such use.
Medicines for self-medication are often called 'nonprescription' or 'over the counter' (OTC) and are available without a doctor's prescription through pharmacies. In some cases OTC products are also available in supermarkets and other outlets. Medicines that are available from doctors with a prescription are called prescription products (Rx products).2
The term 'responsible self-medication' is often used to emphasize the appropriate use of OTC medicines by informed patients and consumers, with healthcare professional support where necessary. By contrast, the term 'self-prescription' is used for the inappropriate practice of using prescription products without medical supervision. Self-prescription is an unfortunate feature of a number of developing countries where good healthcare systems are absent or weak.2
Self-medication means treating ourselves for temporary or minor health problems such as colds, heartburn, allergies and headaches. These problems can be treated with over-the-counter medicines that can be purchased without a doctor's prescription. However, we have to be very careful. We have to follow the advice of our doctor or pharmacist and we have to inform them if our symptoms appear frequently or persist.1
Guidelines & Tips1- Before taking or using the medicines, read the instruction leaflet
- Check the expiry date
- Store the medicines in a cool place protected from light and moisture.
- Keep out of reach of children
- Consult your doctor if the medicines are for the elderly, pregnant women or children
- Before purchasing a medicine, ask your pharmacist or other healthcare professional for advice
- Do not take the medicine for longer than the period indicated on the instruction leaflet
Questions
What are the benefits of responsible self-medication?
Responsible self-medication can: - Help to prevent and treat symptoms and ailments that do not require a doctor;
- Reduce the pressure on medical services where health care personnel are insufficient;
- Increase the availability of health care to populations living in rural or remote areas;
- Enable patients to control their own chronic conditions.
These benefits translate into patient and consumer wellness and productivity, economic gain for employers, and cost savings to healthcare budgets through reduced medicine budget cost and reduced physician visits.2
What sort of conditions can be treated through self-medication?
In most countries patients and consumers are able to have direct access to products for many conditions, such as: acne, allergic conjunctivitis, arthritic pain, caries prevention, colds, cold sores, constipation, cough, diarrhoea, fever, flu prevention and treatment, hay fever, headache, indigestion/heartburn, insomnia, mild/moderate pain, minor cuts and bruises, mouth ulcers, nausea, sore throat, symptoms of PMS, topical bacterial infections and weight management.
The list of treatable conditions and available products continues to grow as the benefits of responsible self-medication are realized.2
Where can I find out about products available for self-medication?
Locally, your pharmacist or other healthcare professional should be able to help you. More broadly, there are many organizations and websites that are dedicated to health, including those of companies that research and manufacture medicines, and the country associations that represent the companies.2
What is self-care and how does it differ from responsible self-medication?
Self-care is a lifelong habit and culture. It is the action individuals take for themselves and their families to stay healthy and manage minor and chronic conditions, based on their knowledge and the information available, working in collaboration with healthcare professionals where necessary.
Self-care therefore includes many elements other than responsible self-medication, such as making healthy lifestyle choices or self-recognition, self-monitoring and self-management of symptoms or disease, in partnership with healthcare professionals.
In reality, self-care is the foundation in the pyramid of healthcare. If an average healthy person visits a doctor say 9 times in a year, with a total of 1,5 hours of discussion, the remaining 8758,5 hours of the year are self-care.2
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