Counseling clients regarding over-the-counter drug use.

Abstract

Few, if any, nurses have conducted a career in health care without being asked for advice about self-treatment of minor health problems and the use of nonprescription drugs. However, nursing education curricula rarely specifically address the issue of self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. How well are nurses meeting the needs of the public in this regard? The use of prescription drugs appears to be declining and the practice of selfmedication to be increasing (Dolusio, 1983; OTC Update, 1982). This may be the result of polarization and compartmentalization of attitudes toward the use of drugs. Following the popularization of psychoactive drugs (medicinal and nonmedicinal) in the 50s and 60s, concern arose that society was relying unduly on the use of chemical agents. In overreaction to the pill for every ill philosophy, many people began to oppose the use of any drugs. The issue has become charged with emotion and highly polarized, making objective judgments very difficult. In addition, a given individual may express conflicting opinions, such as opposition to the use of certain substances (illegal drugs, psychotropic medications), while relying heavily on the use of others (vitamins, caffeine, alcohol). There is a tendency for consumers to discount the use of over-the-counter medications because they do not consider them to be drugs. Few studies have been conducted to investigate the use of nonprescription (overthe-counter) drugs. One retrospective study carried out in the United States in 1983 indicated that most people report that they experience self-treatable health problems and that a majority of these are treated with nonprescription drugs (Robinson, 1984). Because the study was sponsored by the Proprietary Association, the national organization of OTC drug manufacturers, these data may be slanted. However, it is undeniable that OTC drugs sell well and are presumably widely used. What can nurses do to make use of these medications safer and more effective?