A BRIEF REVIEW ON OTC MEDICATION

In recent times, there has been an enhance in the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The utilization of these medicines can be unsafe, as incorrect self-diagnosis or the ingestion of improper doses can lead to side effects and the occurrence of adverse reactions and drug–drug interactions. A cross-sectional expressive observational study was carried out target the entire Spanish population by using an online survey. The results showed that 78.9% of the subjects had previously taken or were currently taking OTC drugs. This consumption decreased as the age of the subjects enhance, with a prevalence of 36.4% of subjects aged ≥ 71 taking OTC drugs. Analgesics were the most extreme OTC drugs (49.1%) especially in women, youngsters with non-formal educational qualifications, and individuals of a low–medium socioeconomic level residing in urban areas. Measures should be implementing to consider the safe use of OTC drugs in order to avoid the occasion of secondary events associated with the lack of in order related to their usage.

Keywords: non prescription drugs, OTC drugs, over-the-counter medicines, misuse of OTC