Prevalence Of Self-medication Practices Research Articles

Prevalence of self-medication practices in the Maharashtra population: a cross-sectional study

Background: Self-medication is a significant issue in public health, with varying global prevalence. It is one of the major causes of the emergence of antibiotic resistance in India. The study's objective was to identify the pattern, cause, and adverse events of self-medication in Maharashtra's urban and rural areas. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a pre-populated questionnaire; including information on age (18-85 years), non-prescription and prescription medication use. Age, gender, past medical and medication history, social history, and self-medication pattern, frequency, reason, source of information, and adverse events noticed as a result of self-medication are all sociodemographic questions on the questionnaire. A percentage analysis was used to examine the data. Results: Study states that out of 400 sample, 76% of the individuals self-medicate, with painkillers (49.4%), antacids (23.7%), antibiotics (15.3%), being the most often used drugs for ailments like headache, fever, bodily pain, and acidity. The top most medications taken for self-medication are paracetamol (53.1%), pantoprazole (30.43%), ondansetron (13.62%), and azithromycin (12.46%); 66.07% usage of prescription drugs as self-medication was found. The most frequent causes of self-medication were discovered to be mild illnesses, the easy accessibility of medications, and chemist recommendations, 8% of those surveyed had adverse events, and sources of information were chemists, past prescriptions, family members, and acquaintances. Conclusions: In Maharashtra, self-medication is a prevalent practice that primarily utilizes over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. As a result, consumers should be made aware of the hazards of antibiotic resistance and other pharmaceuticals.

IJCM_412A: Self Medication Practices Among Patient Attending Fever Opd At Tertiary Care Hospital In Mumbai.

Background: 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. The practice of self-medication is common worldwide in both developed and developing countries which often leads to dangerous unwarranted adverse effects, antimicrobial resistance, ultimately increasing cost burden due to health care. Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication among patients; to identify risk factors that could influence self-medication practices; to identify sources of information about medications used; and to identify reasons for self-medication. Methodology: cross-sectional study was carried out among patient, information regarding self-medication use in the past six months and associated sociodemographic factors, purpose, source of drug procurement, attitude toward self-medication use were collected. The data were obtained using a validated pretested self-administered questionnaire. The collected data will be analyzed using SPSS for descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: In our study the prevalence of Self Medication practices were observed to be 45.6%. The practice was noticed more among individuals from lower middle class family with a prevalence rate of 26%. Telling the symptoms to pharmacist was the commonest method adopted to procure drugs by the users i.e. 61%Majority of the self-medication users expressed that self-medication is harmless and 32.2 % found it effective and 88.9% said they had never experienced any adverse effects, 81.3 % consider it as acceptable practice. Conclusion: Prevalence of SM practices are high. Most common reason being poverty, confidence in self – diagnosis, In order to mitigate the negative effects of SM behaviours, additional prompt measures are required.

Prevalence of self-medication practices among pregnant women in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Self-medication practice among pregnant women is a global concern. However, its understanding in the Indian context is limited due to a lack of comprehensive studies. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the prevalence of self-medication, the medications used for self-medication, diseases/conditions associated with self-medication, and the reasons for self-medication among Indian pregnant women. This study was carried out following the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A thorough search was done in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar to find articles that were published up until May 2023. Inclusion criteria comprised observational studies reporting self-medication prevalence among pregnant women in India. Data were extracted using a standardized sheet, and a random-effects model was applied to determine the overall prevalence of self-medication using R software. The I2 statistic was employed to assess the heterogeneity among the studies. This study analyzed eight studies with a collective sample size of 2208 pregnant women. The pooled prevalence of self-medication among pregnant Indian women was 19.3% (95% CI: 7.5%-41.3%; I2 = 99%; p < 0.01). Common self-treated conditions were cold, cough, fever, headache, and stomach disorders. Antipyretics, analgesics, antihistamines, and antacids were frequently used for self-medication. The perception of mild ailment, immediate alleviation, convenience, time savings, and advice from family, friends, or the media were all reasons for self-medication. Local pharmacies were the most usual source for obtaining drugs, and pharmacists, family, friends, and past prescriptions were common sources of medicine information. A low yet substantial number of pregnant women in India are engaged in self-medication practices. Appropriate strategies need to be planned to reduce self-medication practices to attain sustainable developmental goals for maternal health in India.

Perceptions And Practices Of Self-Medication Among The Residents Of Western, Nepal

Background: Self-medication is defined as the “The taking of drugs, herbs or some remedies on personal initiative, or on the advice of another person without consulting a physician for the aliment of self-diagnosed physical illness”. Self-medication is practiced throughout the world, including both developing and developed countries. Self-medication includes both risks and benefits. Objectives: To assess the perceptions and practices of self-medication among the residents of Western, Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 378 respondents aged above 18. Closed ended questionnaire was used as data collection tool. Non-probability purposive sampling method was used for the collection of data. Results: The prevalence of self-medication practices was found to be 76.8%. Friends/Family members/Relatives 34.20%), Past-own experience (23.9%) and Pharmacist (23.5%) were the major source of information for self-medication practices. The most common type of illness for self-medication were Headache (19.7%), Cough and Cold (19.1%) and fever (18.10%). NSAIDs (32.9%), Cough Syrups (15.0%) and Antibiotics (14.8%) were the mostly used drugs in self-medication practices. The most common reasons for self-medication were previous experience (23.59%), minor illness (19.77%) and quick reliefs (19.1%). More than half of respondents (57.0%) were found to have positive perception towards the self-medication practices. This study showed education status (p=0.033) had significant association with the self-medication practices. Conclusion: The study focused to assess the perception and practices of self-medication. The prevalence of self-medication was found to be 78.6%. More than half of the residents were found to possess positive perception towards the self-medication practices.

Prevalence of Self Medication Practices and it's Associated Factors among the Patients of Selected Hospitals of Guwahati, Assam: A Descriptive Study

Prevalence of Self Medication Practices and it's Associated Factors among the Patients of Selected Hospitals of Guwahati, Assam: A Descriptive Study

Prevalence of self-medication practice among European pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Prevalence of self-medication practice among European pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Self-medication practice and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

In spite of, the need for evidence-based intervention on the potential harmful effects of self-medication practices during pregnancy, there is no systematic review and meta-analysis study regarding self-medication practices in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to determine prevalence of self-medication practice and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia. We used PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, the Wiley Online Library, and African Journals Online to choose important studies. The I-squared statistic method was used to check for heterogeneity between studies. Random effect model was used to estimate the pool prevalence of self-medication among pregnant women. Publication bias was determined by the funnel plot and Egger's test. A total of 11 studies with 4643 study participants were included in this review. The finding from the current meta-analysis showed that the overall prevalence of self-medication practice among pregnant women is 33.92% (95% CI: 23.15-44.70, I² value = 80.9%). First trimester of pregnancy (OR: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.44-3.47), women who faced health problems during pregnancies at the moment (OR: 5.7, 95% CI: 3.92-8.29), previous self-medication practice (OR: 13.07, 95% CI: 5.14-33.25) and previous pregnancy-related problems (OR: 2.065, 95% CI: 1.44-2.96) were positively associated with self-medication practice among pregnant women. The prevalence of self-medication practices among pregnant women is found to be high. Self-medication practices of the pregnant women were significantly higher among women who were in first-trimester pregnancy, encountered illness during pregnancy, previous self-medication history, and previous pregnancy-related problems.Prospero registration number: CRD42023394907.

A Survey Study on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice toward Self-medication Practice with Over-the-counter Drugs among Under Graduate Dental Students

ABSTRACT Introduction: Self-medication practice is very common, especially after the coronavirus disease 2019 period. Self-medication among future health-care professionals can cause serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) as well as antimicrobial resistance that can lead to potential damage to our health-care system. There has been a drastic inclination among medical and dental students and practitioners toward self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. OTC medicines or nonprescription drugs are the group that can be purchased without a legible prescription from a registered medical practitioner and are safe as well as effective also. Aim: The aim of our study was to know about self-medication practice with OTC drugs among undergraduate dental students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among all the dental undergraduate students of K. M. Shah Dental college, Piparia, from December 2022 to March 2023. The study was initiated only after getting approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. A prevalidated questionnaire was given to the students, and responses were obtained. The collected data were subjected to percentage analysis. Results: The prevalence of self-medication practice among dental undergraduates from our study was found to be in 104 (67.1%) out of 155 students who enrolled in the study. The most common reason for self-medication was prior knowledge about drugs 88 (58.3%) and the most common drugs used were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 93.5%. Among the 155 participants, 110 (71%) mentioned that they got cured after self-medicating themselves with OTC drugs and 18 (11.6%) participants encountered adverse reactions. Conclusion: Self-medication was commonly practiced by dental students who were enrolled in our survey study. Self-medication should be considered an emerging problem, especially among undergraduate dental/medical students because they do not have enough significant knowledge about drugs, dose regime, duration of treatment, and their possible ADRs.

Self-medication in Primary Dysmenorrhea among Undergraduate Students in a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Primary dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation in women with normal pelvic anatomy, usually beginning during adolescence, primarily associated with a normal ovulatory cycle. There is an increased likelihood of self-medication among medical students. The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence of self-medication in primary dysmenorrhea among undergraduate students in a medical college. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a medical college among undergraduate female students with primary dysmenorrhea from 1 February 2022 to 31 May 2022. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee of the same institute (Reference number: 254/2021). Convenience sampling was done. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Among 213 students with primary dysmenorrhea, self-medication was found to be in 78 (36.62%) (30.15-43.09, 95% Confidence Interval)). Among all the self-medications used, mefenamic acid was most common, used by 45 (57.69%) students, followed by paracetamol 11 (14.10%). The prevalence of self-medication practice in primary dysmenorrhea among undergraduate students was lower when compared to similar studies done in similar settings. dysmenorrhea; menstruation; prevalence; self medication.

Prevalence of Self-medication Practices and Their Associated Factors in Puducherry, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Self-medication is the most important health issue in developing countries like India. Even though there is abundant healthcare access, self-medication is still chosen by the patients. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of self-medication and the factors associated with self-medication practices among the urban fisherman population in Puducherry. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2021 to December 2021 (6 months) among 18-60 years fisherman population residing in the urban practice areas. The sample was selected by simple random sampling technique using a semi-structured questionnaire after obtaining informed consent from the participants. Data analysis was carried out by chi-square test and proportions. Results: The majority of participants about 77.8% belonged to the 30-60 years age group; and, 57% were male and 43% were female. The prevalence of self-medication was 67%. Socioeconomic status had a statistically significant relationship with self-medication among other sociodemographic factors including age, gender, education, and occupation. It was found that 82.05% of participants practiced self-medication for their previous similar complaints. The source of information regarding self-medication obtained from the pharmacists is 55.8%. Among the various types of self-medication, allopathy drugs were among the most important reasons because of their easy access. Most self-medication was taken for the symptoms such as cough, cold, flu, headache, and myalgia, and the side effects were found to be 12.1% for self-medication. Conclusion: The majority of the participants used self-medication for cough, cold, flu, headache, myalgia, etc. in case of emergency to hospitals. Awareness about health hazards, drug resistance in prolonged self-medication practice, and regulation of pharmacies limit self-medication.

Self-medication practices and their characteristics among Iranian university students

BackgroundSelf-medication in students, as educated people, is one of the most important health issues. It is known that inappropriate self-medication is harmful for individuals as it has potential risks, disrupts the drug market and increases the per capita financial drug consumption. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the habits related to drug use and the prevalence of self-medication practices among university students.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 at Jahrom universities/Iran, using an electronic “self-medication practices and medication habits” questionnaire. A total of 848 students from four healthcare and non-healthcare universities participated in the study.ResultsThe prevalence of self-medication among students was 44.8%. The most common medicines used for self-medication included cold remedies and sedatives that were used by 33% of the students. About 47% of students stated that they have used antibiotics without a physician’s prescription. The internet and social networks were the source of information on self-medication in about 40% of students. There was no significant difference in self-medication between medical and non-medical students (OR = 0.865, 95% CI: 0.659–1.134). Self-medication in students with underlying disease was higher than students without underlying disease (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.39–5.60).ConclusionsSelf-medication had a high prevalence among students. The best strategy to reduce or eliminate self-medication is to raise students’ awareness and knowledge about potential risk of self-medication practices.

Self-Medication Practices among Business Students in Karachi

Objective: The aim of this study is to find out the self-medication practices and its prevalence amongst business students of Karachi. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study and was carried out from Dec 2018 – Dec 2019. Convenient sampling technique was used to obtain data from a Business Institute of Karachi, Pakistan. Data analysis and data management was done using SPSS version 16.0.Results: Prevalence of self-medication practice was obtained to be 81%. The commonest reason for practicing self-medication was past successful consumption of the medicine (46.2%) and avoiding hassle to go to a doctor (43.7%). The commonest complaints that drove students to self-medicate were fever (55.7%), cough (49.2%) and pains (46%). Commonly used medicines were pain killers (73.4%) and fever relieving medicines (41.0%). The major source of obtaining the medicines was community pharmacies (67.6%) by the students. There was no significant association between the demographic factors such as gender and degree program and self-medication (p=0.061, p=0.747 respectively). Conclusion: An 81% high prevalence of self-medication was found among the business university students in Karachi which is alarmingly high, with no significant difference between males and females.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices about antimicrobial usage and resistance among the second-year MBBS students: A questionnaire-based survey

Antibiotic resistance is the burning issue and to curtail it is the need of the time, efforts are going on in all the direction. It is essential to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of the medical undergraduate about the antimicrobial use and resistance for doing modifications in the current methods of teaching for encouraging the rational use. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of self medication practices of antibiotics among the second year medical students. To evaluate the knowledge of medical students about antibiotic resistance. To explore the solutions to curb the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. Material and Methods: A Cross sectional, Unicentric, observational, questionnaire based survey study carried out from June 2021 to Sept 2021. Conventional sample method was used and phase II MBBS students willing to take part in the study were included. After obtaining the IEC clearance study was started. Questionnaire was prepared consisting of the various aspects like knowledge, attitude and perception of the antimicrobial use and resistance. The questionnaire was validated by subject experts for its content and relevance and the necessary changes were incorporated in the final one. The questionnaire was distributed as a Google form before they receive any teaching on antibiotics in their pharmacology classes as a Pre-test and after the exposure as post-test. Participation was voluntary and they were asked to complete the questionnaire anonymously. Returning of the completed Google form was accepted as consent by the participating students. Statistical analysis done with software SPSS. Results: Students had the knowledge about antibiotics and resistance. They had consumed it in last one year and completed the course of the antibiotics is the positive outcome. Small number shows confusion about use during viral infection, in pain, during cough& cold. Causes of antibiotic resistance needs special attention. In 20% it was not clear that skipping the doses can contribute to antimicrobial resistance. Conclusion: Repeated knowledge intervention are essential to increase the awareness of the problem arising due to the irrational use even to the undergraduate students.

Self-medication practices of pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in northern Ghana: An analytical cross-sectional study.

In Ghana, despite the dangers that self-medication poses to maternal and fetal health, there has been limited examination of self-medication among pregnant women. This study examines the practice of self-medication among pregnant women in Wa Municipality, Ghana. An analytical cross-sectional survey of 367 pregnant women was conducted in three health facilities. The prevalence of self-medication practice was 74.1%. The majority (68.4%) of pregnant women obtained unprescribed medicines from chemical shops; others utilized leftover drugs from previous hospital visits (15.8%) or herbal medications (9.9%), while others took unprescribed drugs from relatives or friends (5.9%). Analgesics (76.1%), antibiotics (24.6%), and antimalarials (16.2%) were the most frequently self-medicated drugs. The most common illnesses or symptoms for which pregnant women self-medicated were headaches (34.2%), back pain (33.1%), waist pain (32.7%), lower abdominal pain (20.6%), and malaria (16.2%). After adjusting for potential confounders, easy access to medication without prescription (AOR= 8.4), illness perceived as minor (AOR=4.1), availability of health facilities (AOR=4.2), and frequent lack of medicines at health facilities (AOR=1.7) were significantly associated with self-medication. Enforcing legislation to prevent the stocking and sale of certain analgesics and antibiotics, increasing service points, and improving service quality at antenatal clinics, outpatient departments and pharmacies could reduce self-medication.

Self-medication in Primary Dysmenorrhea among Medical and Nursing Undergraduate Students of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most common gynecological problems among adolescent females. It is defined as painful menses in women with normal pelvic anatomy, usually beginning during adolescence. This study aims to find out prevalence of self-medication practice in primary dysmenorrhea among medical and nursing undergraduate students. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from November 2020 to March 2021 after taking ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Convenient sampling technique was used. A total of 269 female medical and nursing students with complaints of dysmenorrhea were enrolled and the remedial methods used by them such as self-medication, medical advice and home remedies for dysmenorrhea were asked using an online questionnaire delivered to participants. Data analysis was done in the Statistical Package of Social Sciences. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Self-medication practice for dysmenorrhea was reported in 175 (65%) of students. The prevalence of mild or moderate pain was commonly present in age group 21-25 years. commonly used for self-medication was mefenamic acid 121 (48%), followed by ibuprofen 51 (20.3%) and paracetamol 41 (16.3%). Self- medication practice among medical and nursing undergraduate students is high despite awareness of adverse effects.

A cross-sectional study on prevalence of self-medication practice among the students of University of Dhaka

A cross-sectional study on prevalence of self-medication practice among the students of University of Dhaka

Complementary medicine utilization and practices of self-medication in the field practice areas of a medical college of district Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India

INTRODUCTION: Complementary modalities have been established globally but lack of sufficient data on their utilization patterns hinders the mainstreaming with the existing health care delivery system. The concerning issues are especially of self-medication and usage of complementary medicines with or without the usage of allopathic drugs. AIM: The study aims to find out the prevalence of complementary medicine utilization and prevalence of self-medication amongst the people in the field practice areas of the medical college. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to January 2019. The International questionnaire for the use of Complementary and alternative systems of Medicine was used to interview the 451 study participants. The results were expressed in percentages and proportions. Chi-square test was used to find out the association of sociodemographic variables with the use of complementary medicine and self-medication practices. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of utilizing the complementary medicine services were found to be 17.7%. About 14.6% and 2.9% of the study participants visited ayurvedic and homeopathic practitioners, respectively for the past 12 months. A significantly higher proportion of the rural population was utilizing the services of the complementary system of medical practitioners. Other sociodemographic variables were not found to be associated with the utilization of complementary medicine services. The prevalence of self-medication practices was found to be 25.9%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of complementary medicine utilization was lower than the prevalence of self-medication practices. Rural area study participants accessed more services of a complementary system of medical practitioners.

Medicines Advertising: Legal Practice

The article explores legal practice in the field of advertising medicines. Medicines advertising is recognized as one of the mosteffective mechanisms of medicines promotion. Factors affecting the spread of medicines advertising: the public’s attitude to advertisingas a reliable source of information about medicines, distrust of doctors and the healthcare system, and, as a consequence, the prevalenceof self-medication practices. In order to protect the interests of consumers and protect economic competition (often second prevailing),the state ensures compliance with the requirements of the legislation in the field of medicines advertising. What is important is hownational courts hear cases regarding medicines advertising.Advertising is information about a person or product, disseminated in any form and by any means and intended to generate ormaintain awareness of the consumer of the advertising and their interest in such person or product. Advertising of medicinal products,like any other advertising, must comply with: the general principles of advertising; general advertising requirements (apply to all products,regardless of their type); special advertising requirements. Specific requirements for medicines advertising are: (a) specificrequirements for the permitted and prohibited medicines advertising; (b) requirements for the content of advertising of medicines (consistingof the requirements that medicines advertising should and should not contain); (c) particularities for advertising for certain ca -tegories of persons.The mandatory content requirements for medicines advertising are almost 100% specific and evaluable, while prohibitions andrestrictions often make it impossible to assess whether this effect is present in the advertising message or how it may affect a particularconsumer. Accordingly, depending on which requirements for advertising have been violated, the public authority can assess whetherthe prohibitions and restrictions have actually been violated and consider bringing those responsible for violating advertising legislationto liability. Further, if the advertisers, producers or distributors of the advertisement do not agree with the decision of the relevant publicauthorities, they can appeal to court. Most often, the plaintiff will be the advertiser, who are the field of advertising of medicines arepharmaceutical companies, drugstores. The respondent – the relevant authority. This is how the jurisprudence in the field of medicinesadvertising is formed.Almost every case about medicines advertising is about false advertising in a form of «spreading misleading information». Caseshave been considered as to the actual dissemination of misleading information and the violation of certain special requirements for themedicines advertising. In particular, cases concerning: medicines «popularization»; «exaggeration» of medicines effect; giving theproducts features of medicines; on the use of physicians’ images in medicines advertising; medicine prices.Not all cases of «spreading misleading information» about medicines go to court. The legal practice in the field of medicinesadvertising is characterized by a certain ambiguity and depends largely on the evidence presented by the parties’ representatives. Thedecisions of the courts are based on the consideration of the circumstances of each case.

Prevalence and Drivers of Self-Medication Practices among Savar Residents in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundSelf-medication practice (SMP) is widely adopted among residents of such countries as Bangladesh. However, the major determinants of SMP have only scarcely been evaluated. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by assessing the prevalence and determining factors of SMP.MethodsA convenience sample of individuals residing in Savar (Dhaka, Bangladesh) >16 years of age and suffering from an illness >2 months underwent face-to-face interviews during January–February, 2019.ResultsAmong 520 interviewees fulfilling entry criteria, the prevalence of SMP was reported as 60.2%. Drug shops, previous knowledge or prescription, and consulting with peers (friends or relatives) were the most sought sources of SMP, whereas simple illness, higher consulting fees, unsatisfactory health-care services, and delayed access were reported as the motives. From the regression analysis, the sociodemographic risk factors of SMP were reported as being older (compared to <18 years), married, illiterate (compared to having higher education), having engaged in any occupation (ie, service, business, homemaker, and others compared to student), and suffering from chronic illness.ConclusionSMP is highly prevalent and exhibits significant socioeconomic determinants. Development of proper health care–access systems and public education should be implemented to reduce the rate of SMP.

Self-medication Practice of Antibiotics among Medical and Dental Undergraduate Students in a Medical College in Eastern Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Self-medication plays significant role in the development of adverse drug reactions, antibiotic resistance, and masking of underlying diseases. Medical students have some knowledge about the use of antibiotics and have a higher chance of irrational and injudicious use. This study aims to find the prevalence of self-medication practice of antibiotics among medical and dental undergraduate students. A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among medical and dental undergraduate students from the first year to the fifth year at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences from 1st June 2018 to 30th August 2018. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC/1210/018). Whole sampling was done. Data was collected using a self-responding, semistructured questionnaire and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 11.5. In total 558 students, the prevalence of self-medication practice of different antibiotics was 285 (51.1%) within the past year. Among self-medicated students, 152 (53.3%) were males. The common drug self-medicated was Azithromycin 80 (28.1%) and the common medical condition to use non-prescription antibiotics was for treatment of sore throat with runny nose 129 (45.3%). The main source for obtaining non-prescription antibiotics were retail pharmacies 157 (55.1%). Self-medication with antibiotics was at increasing rate with each succeeding years of the medical courses. Medical students should be made aware of the rational use of antibiotics by incorporating appropriate courses in their academic curriculum for more refined practice on antibiotics rather than advancement of theoretical knowledge alone.