Abstract
BackgroundIntake of medicines and supplements is widespread among the professional athletes in developed countries and there are reports to suggest inappropriate self-administration of medicine. Data from South Asia on this area is lacking. This study examined self-medication practices with regard to use of allopathic and herbal/traditional medicines among national -level Sri Lankan athletes.Results209 athletes from 15 national sport teams were assessed using an anonymous, interviewer administered questionnaire. Self-medication practices during the 3 months before data collection were evaluated. 60.8% athletes practiced self-medication. 58.3 and 9.4% consumed western and herbal/traditional medicines respectively, while a third used both. The most common symptom for which self-medication was practiced was musculoskeletal pain (73.2%). Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics were used by 15.7 and 7.1% respectively. Musculoskeletal pain was the predominant symptom that prompted the use of allopathic medicines, while the majority of athletes with upper respiratory tract symptoms being the predominant symptoms, consumed herbal/traditional medicines. Two different commercially available preparations of herbal mixtures were consumed by 15.7 and 15%. Pain prophylaxis during or prior to a sport event was reported by 20.1%, mainly with topical medicines. Medicines were obtained by direct request from a pharmacy without an authorized prescription by a majority (77.2%), followed by using an old prescription in 12.6%.ConclusionsThis study finds that self-medication with both allopathic and herbal/traditional preparations among athletes in a Sri Lanka is high. The use of oral NSAIDs without an authorized prescription in a significant number of athletes is a potential health risk. Frequency of oral NSAID use is lower than that is reported in non-Asian studies from developed countries. The use of herbal/traditional medications increases the likelihood of inadvertent doping. Enhancing awareness regarding risk of such practices among athletes, trainers, pharmacists and prescribers is essential.
Highlights
Intake of medicines and supplements is widespread among the professional athletes in developed countries and there are reports to suggest inappropriate self-administration of medicine
Musculoskeletal pain was the predominant symptom that prompted the use of allopathic medicines (p < 0.05) while the majority of participants with respiratory tract symptoms with cough (p < 0.05) and common cold (p < 0.05) being the predominant symptoms, consumed herbal/traditional medicines
This study, one of the few that has examined the use of self-medication in the South Asian region, looked at the use of non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), herbal/traditional medications and some selected medicines, and reports that selfmedication is a frequent practice among local elite athletes
Summary
Intake of medicines and supplements is widespread among the professional athletes in developed countries and there are reports to suggest inappropriate self-administration of medicine. Self-medication is the selection and use of medicines, including herbal and traditional products, by individuals to treat self-recognised illnesses or symptoms [1]. Self-medication allows the patient/consumer to take an active role in his or her own care. It is not Fernando et al BMC Res Notes (2017) 10:257. Athletes have relatively unrestricted access to NSAIDs, as they are readily available over-the-counter preparations [10] in developed countries and are not prohibited as performance-enhancing drugs by the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) [7, 8], leading to frequent use of NSAIDs in treatment as well as pain prophylaxis prior to sporting events [8, 10]. It has been shown that the athletes who use analgesics prior to their events could be more prone to using doping substances [11]
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