Over-the-Counter Medicine Misuse Among Teenagers

Aim: The aim of this study is to focus on adolescent's self-medication phenomena about the over the counter medicines that teens frequently use to treat minor and serious diseases. This article briefly describes the potential for OTC substance abuse and the effects of self-medication on OTC substance abuse.
Background: Improper use of medicines may carry possible health dangers and more evidence continues to stand that adverse drug reactions to medicines are common but often preventable. The self-medication procedure includes the usage of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are easily available without a prescription, leading many teenagers to use them for minor health issues. Overthe-counter (OTC) medicine misuse among teenagers is an emerging public health issue, leading to preventable adverse drug reactions and dependency. However, misuse is increasing due to peer pressure,
lack of awareness, and easy availability, with some teenagers using OTC medicines for recreational purposes. This can cause side effects, dependency, and serious health risks, making it important to study and address OTC medicine misuse in teenagers. This paper focuses on understanding the reasons, patterns, and consequences of OTC medicine misuse among teenagers and emphasizes the need for parental supervision, awareness programs, and pharmacist counseling to prevent misuse and promote safe medicine practices. Self-medication phenomena with over the counter medicines is common among people.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 teenagers aged 13-19 years using a prevalidated questionnaire in schools and colleges. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chisquare tests to find associations between misuse and demographic factors.
Results: 42% reported using OTC medicines without consulting a healthcare professional. 25% admitted to using higher doses than recommended for faster relief. The most commonly misused OTC medicines were paracetamol (36%), cough syrups (21%), and NSAIDs (18%).Misuse was significantly higher among urban teenagers. (p<0.05). Conclusion: OTC misuse among teenagers is prevalent, indicating the urgent need for educational interventions and stricter regulation on OTC drug sales to prevent potential health risks.