Common Adverse Effects Due to Self-Medication
Abstract
Objective: This study was carried out to identify the adverse effects of drugs used by the respondents and symptoms as well as the reason of self-medication.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in Ajman from March to June 2015. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS).
Results: Commonly used drugs were analgesic drugs. Common reported illnesses were pain and respiratory symptoms. Saving time and money, previously resolved complains were the top two reported factors for self-medication. The adverse effects reported with self-medication were vomiting, nausea and diarrhea. The majority of students stops taking drugs and consulted the doctor or pharmacist when adverse effect occurred.
Conclusion: Medical professionals are required to report all adverse effects related to a specific form of therapy. Without consulting doctor - side effects can worsen when you stop taking the drugs. Little is known about the relation of adverse effects to self-use of medication.
KEY WORDS: self-medication; medicines; adverse effects
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PDFCopyright (c) 2016 Mena Rabea Al-Ani, Najeeb Hassan, Zehra Edis, Samir Haj Bloukh, Moyad Shahwan
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