Self-medication: Saving you time and money?

It has become common for Namibians to self-medicate.
When people don't feel well they usually visit a pharmacy, or receive medication from family or friends. But what exactly is self-medication?
Self-medication is the selection and use of medicines to treat self-diagnosed conditions or symptoms. Self-medication is often referred to as ‘non-prescription’ or ‘over-the-counter’ (OTC) medicines, available without a doctor’s prescription and mainly through pharmacies.
Self-medication preparations used in Namibia include schedule 0 substances which may be sold in a shop, as well as schedule 1 which are sold OTC by pharmacies. Some medications including pain relievers, cough and flu remedies, remedies for allergies, laxatives, antacids and nutritional supplements, are also sold over-the-counter here.
Some of the many reasons people choose to use OTC medication include that the person thinks the condition they have is not serious enough to have to go to a clinic/hospital; the convenience of not having to wait to see a healthcare practitioner and pay consultation fees for minor ailments; and that medical aids offer self-medication benefits.
Minor ailments for which people self-medicate include headaches, general aches and pains, constipation, diarrhoea, cold and flu prevention and treatment, indigestion, and hay fever. Many medicines for these conditions are available without prescription.
Although there are many benefits that can be enjoyed from the appropriate use of self-medication, there are some potential risks as well. These include misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment choice, delay in seeking of medical attention, masking of a severe disease, wrong use and dosing of medicines, abuse or dependence, adverse reactions, and drug interactions.
It is important that you use self-medication appropriately. Here are a few tips on how to successfully use self-medication:
• Make informed choices by speaking to the pharmacist before deciding on an OTC product.
• Always tell your pharmacist what medication you are taking.
• Be especially careful in the use of OTC preparations in babies, young children, the elderly, and people who have other conditions.
• Use self-medication benefits of your medical aid wisely. Remember, more medicine does not mean better outcomes.
• OTC medicines are only safe when used appropriately. Read the instructions carefully and look out for the recommended age, dosage, maximum duration of use, and storage conditions.
• Never take OTC medicines longer or in higher doses than the label recommends. If your symptoms do not improve, visit your healthcare provider.
• Take note of the main active ingredient in the OTC products at home by circling or underlining them. This reduces the chance of accidentally overdosing of ingredients found in multiple medications. For instance, common active ingredients found in several cold and flu, as well as pain medications are paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen.
• Never give your OTC medications to anybody else, especially children, without consulting the pharmacist. In particular, aspirin at any dose is not intended for children under the age of 16.
Prevention is always better than cure! Stay healthy by eating well, exercising, and getting plenty of rest.
(Submitted by Unam’s School of Pharmacy students and published by The Pharmaceutical Society of Namibia.)