Home Medication Cabinets and Self-Medication: A Source of Potential Health Threats?

• DOI: 10.1345/aph.1k533
• Publication Date: 2008-03-26T00:34:30Z
• Authors: Leen De Bolle; Els Mehuys; Els Adriaens; Jean-Paul Remon; Luc Van Bortel; Thierry Christiaens
• Keywords: Package insert; Self-medication; Cross-sectional study

Data regarding the contents of home medication cabinets (HMCs), management leftover medications, and inclination patients toward self-initiated treatment using nonprescription drugs are scarce.To evaluate nature safety storage intended self-medication in a general population.A cross-sectional study was conducted 72 Belgian community pharmacies. Pharmacy customers (N = 288, aged 18-80 y) were visited their homes by pharmacy students. The HMCs inventoried participants interviewed.A mean 31 +/- 17 (range 6-136) drug packages identified per household; one-third cases, not stored safely. Prescription accounted for 34% total. most frequently encountered categories registered medicines nonopioid analgesics (7.2%), nonsteroidal antiinflammatory (NSAIDs) (6.9%), nasal decongestants (3.5%) antinausea agents (3.2%). Despite high prevalence, NSAIDs non-opioid did predominate among used drugs, whereas food supplements daily 23.3% households. Twenty-one percent expired, 9% original container, package insert missing 18%. Self-initiated considered 56% all (over-the-counter 74%; prescription 21%). Indication, dosage, or duration misjudged only 5.2% participants, but consulting allowed. tendency self-treatment decreased with age increasing number medications taken (p 0.002).We found large amounts household, prevalence NSAIDs. Self-medication, although generally acceptable terms indication commonly practiced, also drugs. Taking into account that younger people showed significantly higher intention self-medication, sustained awareness risks is warranted future.