EFFECTS OF SELF-MEDICATION BY PHARM
CHERRY E. ZIWORITIN
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.
What is self-medication?
Generally speaking, self-medication is defined as "the use of drugs
to treat self-diagnosed disorders or symptoms, or the intermittent or continued
use of a prescribed drug for chronic or recurrent disease or symptoms. In other
words self-medication has traditionally been defined as “the taking of drugs,
herbs or home remedies on one's own initiative, or on the advice of another
person, without consulting a pharmacist or a physician (doctor)”.
Why do people self-medicate?
People self-medicate for a number of reasons. Some of them include:
·
Urge of self-care
·
Feeling of sympathy toward
family members in sickness
·
Lack of time
·
Lack of health services
·
Financial constraint
·
Ignorance, misbelieves, extensive
advertisement and availability of drugs in places other than drug shops like
buses
·
Coping mechanism for
depression.
Potential Risks of
Self-Medication
Self-medication might seem right at first, but one needs to consider the
potential side effects of such uninformed actions.
At Individual level
·
Incorrect self-diagnosis
·
Failure to seek appropriate
medical advice promptly
·
Incorrect choice of therapy
·
Failure to recognize or
self-diagnosis contraindications, interactions, warnings and precautions
·
Failure to recognize that the
same active substance is already being taken under a different name.
·
Failure to report current
self-medication to the prescribing physician (double medication/harmful
interaction)
·
Failure to recognize or report
adverse drug reactions
·
Incorrect route of
administration
·
Inadequate or excessive dosage
·
Excessively prolonged use
·
Risk of dependence and abuse
·
Food and drug interaction
·
Paracetamol, an antipyretic
and analgesic in large doses can cause liver failure.
·
Financial losses – delayed
recovery is ultimately more costly
Self-medication and depression
Depression is a mood disorder associated with feelings of sadness, loss
of interest in activities, and anger. When someone is depressed, these symptoms
can impact their everyday life. Treating depression is important, and it
usually involves counseling, medication, or both. However instead of seeking professional help, some people try coping with
their symptoms on their own.
Self-medication as a coping
mechanism for depression and its consequences
1.
Self-medicating with food: Decreased self-esteem, worsened depression
symptoms, risk of obesity and serious health challenges like diabetes.
2.
Self-medicating with psychostimulants (Cocaine, amphetamines): Heart failure, worsened depression symptoms, death, legal consequences.
3.
Self-medicating with caffeine (Coffee, tea, energy drinks): Increased feelings of depression
and anxiety.
4.
Self-medicating with cannabis (Marijuana): Worsened symptoms of depression, legal consequences.
5.
Self-medicating with opiates and opioids (Codeine, heroin, and methadone):
Worsened depression symptoms, death, legal
consequences.
6.
Self-medicating
with alcohol (Beer, Wine, and Liquor in excess): Addiction,
legal consequences.
How to curb the menace of self-medication
1.
Consult a pharmacist or a physician (doctor).
2.
Learn from other people’s mistakes
3.
Attend a rehab
4.
Self-motivation
5.
Regular campaigns and
enlightenment programs should be carried out to sensitize the citizenry on the
dangers of self-medication
6.
Those with chronic disease
conditions should be given Therapeutic Patient Education concerning their
disease conditions
7.
A no open drug marketing policy
should be set by the government and enforced by regulatory bodies on roadside
sellers and hawkers.
FOR CONSULTATION
*ziworitinc@gmail.com*
Educative
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