Self-medication with Painkillers in the Municipality of Bačka Topola

Abstract

Introduction: In Serbia, analgesics are available without a doctor's prescription and using painkillers without previous consultation with a family physician has been ever more common among patients. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes about self-medication for pain relief and and characteristics of self-medication among patients in the municipality of Bačka Topola. Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted between September 20, 2017 and September 29, 2017 in three General practice medical centres of the municipality of Bačka Topola. 136 adult patients, who agreed to fill in an anonymous questionnaire participated in the survey. Results: 75% of the study subjects used painkillers during the last year. The most common indications were headache 52%, joint pain 33% and back pain. 41% of the subjects said they used painkillers once a month. The most commonly used pain reliever was ibuprofen 47% followed by diclofenac 28% and aspirin 21%. 48% of our subjects did not seek advice from their family physician (self-medication) because the pain was not too strong and did not not last too long. while 32% of the subjects referred to earlier experience. 77% of subjects said they knew side effects of analgesics, but only 40% of them named it. 42% of subjects did not contact a family physician due to mild pain, 29% because of saving the time. 77% of subjects said that they are familiar with the side effects of analgesics, but only 40% could name them. Conclusions: The results of our study point out that the patients' knowledge about painkillers plays a very important role in their rational consumption. Therefore, educational campaigns about the behaviour of patients towards painkillers are the key elements to ensure quality and knowledge based use of these drugs among patients.

Keywords

• nonsteroidal anti-infl ammatory drugs
• adverse reactions
• irrational use of medicines