A SEMINAR WORK

ON

THE NECESSITY OF OVERCOMING THE MENACE AND DANGERS OF SELF

MEDICATION

PRESENTED BY

OKODIKE ADIMABUO ROWLAND

AST/237200153
HND II
(CHEMISTRY OPTION)

SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE LABORATORY

TECHNOLOGY, SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY,
AUCHI POLYTECHNIC AUCHI.

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF

HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA (HND) IN PHYSICAL SCIENCE LABORATORY
TECHNOLOGY.

JUNE, 2022.

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Outline

Abstract

Introduction

What is Self-Medication?

Reasons for Self-Medication

Benefits of Self Medication

Hazards of Self-Medication

Prevention of Potential Risks Associated With Self-Medication

Forms of Self-Medication

The Self-Medication Hypothesis

Conclusion

Recommendation

References

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 Abstract
Self-medication is a global phenomenon and potential contributor to human pathogen resistance
to antibiotics. The adverse consequences of such practices should always be emphasized to the
community and steps to curb it. The use of medicament without concerning registered medical
practitioner is increasing day by day. Unawareness about safe and rational use of medicine may
lead to serious consequences which is difficult to overcome. The adverse consequences of such
practices should always be emphasized to the community and steps to curb it. Rampant irrational
use of antibiotics without medical guidance may result in greater probability of inappropriate,
incorrect, or undue therapy, missed diagnosis, delays in appropriate treatment, pathogen
resistance, and increased morbidity. The present review deals the reason, hazards, and prevention
of potential risk associated with self-medication.

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Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Pharmaceutical Federation define

self-medication as a run through by which a human being selects and uses medicines to treat

signs/symptoms or minor health problems, recognized as such by themselves. When done

appropriately, self-medication can help the individual’s health and is documented by the WHO

as part of self-care. Self-care is understood as what people do by themselves to inaugurate and

maintain health, preventing, and dealing with disease. This concept of self-care includes health,

nutrition, lifestyle, socio-economic, and environmental factors, as well as self-medication

(WHO, 2008).

Lately, people have taken greater personal responsibility for their health and are seeking more

information and facts to make pertinent decisions about their treatment either from reliable

sources or from other questionable sources such as health issues related websites. In the

treatment of minor illness, when problems are self-limited, self-care can be used to take care of

them (WSMI, 2012). According to the Winfield and Richards, the principles for considering

health problems as a minor illness include having a limited duration and being perceived as non-

threatening to the patient. In the international arena, such as in developed countries there is a

change in the treatment of these minor ailments, i.e. illness, sickness, disorders, etc., through

using self- care, encouraged by drug policies around the countries worldwide (Winfield et al.,

2010).

For government institutions, this can reduce costs and distractions on minor ailments while

allowing health professionals to focus on more serious health problems. When this condition

occurs of self-care, and when the management of these ailments is accomplished through drugs

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or medicinal plants, it becomes self-medication. In this case, pharmacist direction is important to

guarantee a responsible self-medication plan. It is estimated that in the United States, some 100-

150 million general physician consultations a year are related to conditions that could be self-

treated. In recent decades, the role of pharmacist’s has been changed, being not only as drug

dispenser at a pharmacy store but acting as part of a multidisciplinary team involved in health

care (Petty, 2010). It is essential to highlight the convenience of consumers to the pharmacists,

those working in either the public sector, in private pharmacies and hospital pharmacy.

Confirming such responsibility of pharmacist, Loyola et al. (2009), found a significant

association between pharmacist consultation and the use of non-prescribed drugs in Bambuí,

Minas Gerais.

Each year, thousands of new products are launched in the drug market as over-the-counter

(OTC) medicines, and community pharmacists working in public sectors are in an excellent

position to provide correct information on the use of these drugs to the patients. Even for the sale

of OTC\ drugs, the prescription is not required by the patient, but they can cause adverse drug

reactions or side effects if taken incorrectly. It is striking that in Brazil, 35% of medicine are

traded as self-medication (Aquino, 2008). While self-medication can produce good results and be

a useful practice for the patient, but it can also cause serious health risks such as bacterial

resistance, dependence, digestive bleeding, antibiotic resistance, tolerance, cross tolerance,

hypersensitivity reactions, drug withdrawal symptoms, adverse drug reactions, as well as

increase the risk of neoplasia (Covington, 2012).

In addition to these risks, it should be highlighted that the momentary relief of symptoms may

actually mask the underlying disease or cause of disease. The indiscriminate use of medicines

can also increase the chances of intoxication, according to the National System of Toxic-

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Pharmacological Information (Sistema Nacional de Informações Tóxico-Farmacológicas -

SINITOX); medicines are the 2nd-most frequent causative agents of intoxication in humans

(Bouchner, 2013).

What is Self-Medication?

Self-medication is a human behavior in which an individual uses a substance or any exogenous

influence to self-administer treatment for physical or psychological ailments. The most widely

self-medicated substances are over-the-counter drugs and dietary supplements, which are used to

treat common health issues at home. These do not require a doctor's prescription to obtain and, in

some countries, are available in supermarkets and convenience stores (WSMI, 2016).

The field of psychology surrounding the use of psychoactive drugs is often specifically in

relation to the use of recreational drugs, alcohol, comfort food, and other forms of behavior to

alleviate symptoms of mental distress, stress and anxiety, including mental illnesses or

psychological trauma, is particularly unique and can serve as a serious detriment to physical and

mental health if motivated by addictive mechanisms. In postsecondary (university and college)

students, the use of self-medicating of study-drugs such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta has

been widely reported and discussed in literature (Kirstin, 2010).

Products are marketed by manufacturers as useful for self-medication, sometimes on the basis of

questionable evidence. Claims that nicotine has medicinal value have been used to market

cigarettes as self-administered medicines. These claims have been criticized as inaccurate by

independent researchers. Unverified and unregulated third-party health claims are used to market

dietary supplements (Reese, 2018).

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Self-medication is often seen as gaining personal independence from established medicine, and it

can be seen as a human right, implicit in, or closely related to the right to refuse professional

medical treatment. Self-medication can cause unintentional self-harm (Kingon, 2012).

Reasons for Self-Medication

Studies on the use of self-medication have showed that the increase in self-medication was due

to a number of factors such as socio-economic factors, lifestyle, ready access to drugs, the

increased potential to manage certain ailments through self-care, and greater availability of

medicinal goods in the market. The patient serenity with the healthcare provider, long waiting

times, cost of the drugs, educational level, age, and gender are the other important factors

influences self-medication. One of the most common reasons for indulging in self-medication

includes high-cost fees of private doctor’s consultations (Habeeb et al., 2012). The condition is

worst in rural or distant corners, where the people are deprived socially, economically, and

educationally and illiterate with inadequate health facilities. In another study, prior familiarity

and the non-seriousness of the illness were the top two reported factors for self-medication and

reading materials were the top reported source of information on self-medication (Abay, 2012).

The patient’s valuation of his illness has been minor was also identified as one of the major

factors for self-medication in a study conducted in Nigeria. Although, OTC drugs are intended to

be used as self-medication and are of established efficacy and safety but their inappropriate use

due to lack of knowledge of their side effects and drug interactions could have a serious

consequence, especially in special population groups such as children, elderly, pregnant, and

lactating mothers (Omolase et al., 2013).

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Benefits of Self Medication

Geneva W. (2010), highlighted some of the benefit of self medication both for individual and

general community at large:

Individual Level

1. An active role in his or her own health care

2. Self-reliance in preventing or relieving minor symptoms or conditions

3. Education opportunities on specific health issues (i.e. stop smoking aids and products to

treat heartburn)

4. Convenience

5. Economy, particularly since medical consultations will be reduced or avoided.

At community level Good self-medication can also provide benefits such as:

1. Saving scarce medical resources from being wasted on minor conditions

2. Lowering the costs of community funded health care programs

3. Reducing absenteeism from work due to minor symptoms

4. Reduce the pressure on medical services where health care personnel are insufficient

5. Increase the availability of health care to populations living in rural or remote areas.

Hazards of Self-Medication

Individual level

• Inaccurate self-diagnosis

• Failure to inquire about suitable medical advice promptly

• Inaccurate choice of therapy

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 • Fail to recognize unusual pharmacological risks

• Uncommon but severe adverse effects

• Fail to diagnosis of contraindications, interactions, warnings, and precautions

• Fail to distinguish that the same active substance is already being taken under a different

name

• Fail to report recent self-medication to the prescribing physician (double

medication/harmful interaction)

Community level

Improper self-medication could result in an increase in drug-induced disease, tolerance,

resistance in the body, and in wasteful public expenditure (WHO, 2012).

Prevention of Potential Risks Associated With Self-Medication

Although self-medication is a form of self-care commonly used to manage symptoms of minor

illnesses or injuries, the practice of self-treatment for serious health conditions, such as mental

health conditions, has many risks (Hernandez and Quesada, 2012).

The risks of self-medication include:

1. Incorrect self-diagnosis

2. Delays in seeking appropriate medical advice and proper treatment

3. Potential adverse reactions

4. Worsening of the condition the individual is trying to self-treat

5. Dangerous drug interaction

6. Masking of severe diseases

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 7. Risk of dependence and abuse

For those affected by mental health conditions, it may be difficult to recognize the consequences

of self-medication. It is very important for loved ones and healthcare professionals to be aware of

the signs of mental illness and self-medication in order to provide appropriate guidance toward

proper treatment.

Forms of Self-Medication

Self-medication is the selection of certain practices, supplements, medicines or substances in

order to treat self-recognized symptoms. There are many ways to self-medicate and some are

more beneficial and less harmful than others. Unfortunately, many individuals turn to harmful

substances as their preferred method of self-medication (Legg et al., 2019).

Examples of some harmful options or indulgences used to self-medicate include:

Alcohol: Self-medicating with alcohol is a common practice because of the availability and

general acceptance of the use of alcohol. Alcohol can temporarily relieve symptoms of

depression and anxiety; however, when used regularly, it can lead to dependence, alcoholism and

worsen depression and anxiety.

Opiates: Opiates or opioids are medications that mimic the effects of opium, a substance derived

from the poppy plant. Commonly used opiates include codeine, morphine, heroin, oxycodone

and hydrocodone. While the use of opiates can provide a temporary euphoric sensation, known

as the “high,” abuse of these substances is very dangerous and can lead to serious injury or death

from overdose. The latest World Drug Report from the United Nations reports that the use of

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opioids, which includes both heroin and legal pain relievers, were responsible for two-thirds of

all drug-related deaths worldwide in 2017.

Marijuana: Marijuana, also known as cannabis, has been recognized by the United Nations at

the most widely used substance among people with depression. Research is currently mixed

regarding the potential benefits of marijuana for the treatment of different conditions; however,

self-medicating with marijuana in excessive amounts can possibly worsen symptoms of

depression.

Stimulants: Prescription stimulants or amphetamines are prescribed for the management of

some conditions, including ADHD. These medications are prescribed and closely monitored by

physicians. The recreational use of amphetamines has a high potential for addiction, can cause

major damage to various organ systems, especially the cardiovascular system, and can be fatal

when misused. Using these substances may provide temporary relief from symptoms of

depression or ADHD; however, the perceived benefit wears off quickly, leaving a high potential

for various risks.

Food: The terms “emotional eating,” “binge eating” or “comfort eating” are commonly used to

describe the practice of self-medicating with food. According to a study published in 2015, self-

medicating with food may temporarily reduce stress in people who are not clinically depressed;

however, regularly using food to cope with feelings of sadness can cause decreased self-esteem,

worsen feelings of the loss of self-control and can have a negative impact on physical health

through unhealthy weight gain.

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The Self-Medication Hypothesis

The self-medication hypothesis was first presented in the 1980s as a reason behind how and why

individuals are drawn to and become dependent on heroin and cocaine. The main concept behind

the theory is that individuals discover the specific actions or effects of certain substances and

then use specific substances to relieve or change the symptoms or emotions they are

experiencing. For example, someone living with anxiety would specifically use alcohol for its

calming and sedating effects. The self-medication hypothesis seems intuitive but it has received

mixed reviews from the medical community and it has been both accepted and dismissed

(UNODC, 2015).

Regardless of the theories behind why someone with a mental health condition could be drawn to

substances, the linkage between mental health conditions and substance use disorders is

undeniable and has been of concern for many years. “Co-occurring disorder” is the term used

when a person is diagnosed with both a mental health condition and substance use disorder.

According to the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, of the 18.7 million adults aged

18 and older with substance use disorder, 8.5 million had co-occurring substance use disorder

and acute mental illness, and 3.1 million had co-occurring substance use disorder and serious

mental illness (UNODC, 2019).

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Conclusion

Self-medication is an alarming concept. This review focused on the self-medication of allopathic

drugs, their use, its safety and reason for using it. It would be safe, if the people who are using it,

have sufficient knowledge about its dose, time of intake, side-effect on over dose, but due to lack

of information it can cause serious effects such as antibiotic resistance, skin problem,

hypersensitivity and allergy. Hence, developing country like India where we have poor economic

status, education status as well as poor health care facilities. Health professionals have to spend

some extra time in educating patients regarding the same. Improved knowledge and

understanding about self-medication may result in rationale use and thus limit emerging

microbial resistance issues.

Recommendation

From the discussion of above the following recommendations were made:

 Easy availability of a wide range of drugs without prescription of registered prescriber is

the major factor responsible for irrational use of drugs as self-medication, thus resulting

into imminent health problems (antimicrobial resistance, increased load of mortality and

morbidity) and economic loss.

 Specific pharmaco-vigilance is needed and the patient, pharmacist and physician must be

confident to report any adverse events. Periodic studies on the knowledge, attitude and

practice of self-medication may give insight into the changing pattern of drug use in

societies.

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 The need for promoting appropriate use of drugs in health care system is not only

because of the financial reasons with which policy makers and managers are usually most

concerned, but also for health and medical care of patients and the community.

 Monitoring schemes, a partnership between patients, physicians and pharmacists and the

provision of education and information to all concerned on safe self-medication, are

proposed strategies for maximizing benefit and minimizing risk.

 The medical community must acknowledge this issue and develop strategies to ensure

that patients receive assistance in overcoming the barriers that limit their ability to

function adequately in the health care environment.

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