Volume : 12, Issue : 11, November – 2025
Title:
SELF-MEDICATION PRACTICES: COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
Authors :
Shaikh Altamash Shaikh Jameel ,Hrutik R. kanhed, Dr. Swati P. Deshmukh
Abstract :
When people use medications to treat conditions they have self-diagnosed without seeking advice from trained medical professionals, this is known as self-medication. High healthcare costs, lengthy hospital wait times, easy access to over-the-counter medications, and prior successful medication use are some of the factors contributing to this expanding worldwide phenomenon. Inappropriate or irrational self-medication raises the risk of misdiagnosis, drug interactions, antimicrobial resistance, and adverse drug reactions, even though it can save time and lessen the strain on healthcare systems. Self-medication is of great public health importance as it often by passes regulatory mechanisms to assure quality of healthcare. Nevertheless, there are no established standards on how to assess self-medication. We therefore intended to systematically retrieve questionnaires and survey tools used to capture self-medication, with the aim to identify the scope of information investigated in this context and commonalities between the tools.
This review highlights the prevalence, causes, commonly used drug categories, and potential risks associated with self-medication practices. It also emphasizes the need for public education, stricter regulations, and professional guidance to promote safe medicine use. Studies from various regions indicate that youth, students, and individuals with busy schedules are more prone to self-medication, often influenced by social media, pharmacy recommendations, or previous prescriptions. The misuse of antibiotics is particularly concerning because it contributes substantially to antimicrobial resistance. Overall, this review aims to provide an evidence-based understanding of self-medication practices and suggests strategies to minimize harmful outcomes while encouraging rational medicine use.
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press Shaikh Altamash Shaikh Jameel et al., Self-Medication Practices: Comprehensive Review, Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2025; 12(11).
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