Reasons For Self-medication Research Articles

Parents' knowledge and attitude to self-medication of children with antibiotics

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics in children. Materials and Methods: This study was based on a prevalidated questionnaire distributed to 205 families in the United Arab Emirates, during the period of January-October 2014, on self-medication of their children with antibiotics. Data were collected and analyzed using Microsoft Excel ® and expressed in terms of both counts and percentages. Results: The response rate was 92.7% most respondents were well educated, and with university degrees and 45 (23.7%) participants were working in the medical field or attained a medical background. The majority of children were between 1 and 12 years of age, and the family's monthly income ranged from moderate to high for most of the participants. Community pharmacy was the main source (152, 80%) of antibiotics, and the main source of information was the pharmacists, followed by doctors and medication leaflets. Reasons for self-medication with antibiotics included previous experience with symptoms (100, 52.6%), and minor illness (67, 35.3%). The majority (141, 74.2%) of participants was aware of consequences of antibiotic misuse and bacterial resistance. The most commonly utilized antibiotic for self-medication was an amoxicillin - clavulanic acid combination. Antibiotics were most commonly used without prescription for respiratory symptoms including sore throat (104, 54.7%), cold/flu (85, 44.7%), and runny nose/nasal congestion (56, 29.5%). Conclusion: Antibiotics are still used for conditions which are viral in origin and parents, misconceptions about antibiotics call for organized extensive efforts to increase public awareness of the rational antibiotic use.

Evaluation of analgesic self-medication pattern among under-graduate medical students of Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, BG Nagar, Karnataka: a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study

Background: Self-medication with analgesics is widely practiced among medical students. Self-medication is defined as “the selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self-recognized illnesses or symptoms.” It assumes a special significance among the undergraduate medical students as they are aware of the available analgesic medications. Our study would evaluate the pattern of analgesic self-medication among undergraduate medical students of Adichunchanagiri Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), BG Nagar. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was done from January to March 2014 among undergraduate medical students, AIMS, BG Nagar. 218 students consented for the study out of 250 students and filled in the questionnaire. 20 incomplete questionnaires were excluded and the remaining 198 were analyzed. Results: Our study showed that 63.6% of the students practiced analgesic self-medication. 68.2% sought self-medication for headache followed by body pain (9.7%), low backache (5.1%), fever (4.5%) and joint pain (3.8%). Paracetamol was used by 47.2%, diclofenac by 20.5%, ibuprofen by 7.5%, aspirin by 6.8%, and aceclofenac by 4.1%. Self-medication was based on the use of previous prescriptions in 42.1% of the students and textbook knowledge in 39.1% of the students. 26.4% students complained that pain reduced concentration in studies. 61.6% students stated the mild nature of illness as the reason for self-medication. 91.9% of the students felt that self-medication is a part of self-care. 61.2% of the students were aware of the side-effects of the analgesic medications. Conclusion: Our study shows that self-medication with analgesics is high among the undergraduate medical students of this institute. Although it is an easy way to treat mild to moderate pain, it may be accompanied with side effects, drug interactions, and toxicities. Hence, we conclude that there is a need to create awareness, and educate the students regarding the possible harmful effects of self-medication with analgesics.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-medication among college students

Background: Self-medication is widely practiced both in developed and developing countries. Self-medication has certain advantages as it is convenient, economical, and medical resources are not wasted for minor illnesses. However, there are disadvantages as the disease recognized may not be correct, there is delay in meeting a health care worker, the side-effects of the medication are not known, inappropriate usage of antibiotics leading to drug resistance, taking the same drug with different trade names, it can lead to drug interactions and can also lead to drug addiction. College students prefer self-medication for minor illness or to save time and money. There is no data on the prevalence and pattern of self-medication in college students in Delhi. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-medication among medical and non-medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 200 students of Delhi University using a pretested, structured questionnaire about demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practices of self-medication. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0. Results: Self-medication is commonly practiced among both medical and non‑medical college students. From a total of 200 students, 93% of the students had used self-medication of which 7% used it always. Allopathy is the most preferred system of medication. Conclusions: The reasons for self-medication were similar among medical and non-medical students, but positive attitude and knowledge toward self-medication was more among the medical students.

Study of self medication practices and its determinant among college students of Delhi University North Campus, New Delhi, India

Background: Self-medication includes acquiring medicines without a prescription, resubmitting old prescriptions to purchase medicines, sharing medicines with relatives or members of one\'s social circle or using leftover medicines stored at home. In developing countries like India, self-medication is a common practice as it provides a low cost alternative for people. Especially, the youth is exposed to media and the increased advertising of pharmaceuticals poses a larger threat to the younger population. Aims & Objective: To determine the prevalence of self-medication among Delhi University students and to identify the sources and reasons for self-medication. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out using a ‘semi structured’ ‘pretested’ questionnaire among 350 students selected randomly from north campus of Delhi University during August and September 2012. Results: The prevalence of self-medication was 85.4% among the study population. Principal morbidities for seeking self-medication were headache (86.2%) and common cold (57.8%). 79.3% of them got the medicine from chemist shop and 16.9% used home available medicines. 56.1% of the study subjects were aware about side effects of drugs they were using. Awareness about schedule H-drugs was also present in 39.5% of the study population. Regarding the major reasons for seeking self-medication, 31.0% did not find it necessary to consult a doctor followed by 25.0% who preferred to wait and watch, 21.3% had lack of time and 10.4% felt doctor’s fee was too high. Conclusion: Prevalence of self-medication was high in the study population despite majority being aware of its harmful effects. There is an urgent need to enforce the law to prevent over the counter drug sale and to educate the youth to ensure safe practices.

Perception about self-medication practices for oral health problems among the general population of Davangere city, Karnataka, India

Background: Self-medication is a widely accepted practice in many developing countries. The determining factors of self-medication need to be first understood to develop appropriate medicine information policies and patient-provider education strategies. Keeping this in mind, present survey was conducted with the aim to assess the perception about self-medication practices for oral health problems among the general population of Davangere city, Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional field survey was conducted among 440 subjects in Davangere city. Data were collected through a specially designed proforma using a closed-ended, self-administered questionnaire containing 12 questions, in three sections. Results: Response rate of the survey was 100%. Self-medication and nondoctor prescription was found to be obvious and at an alarming rate of 70.9%. Among reasons of self-medication, toothache was the most common one. People of all sociodemographic categories approved self-medication giving reasons of lack of time as a major reason followed by nonseriousness of their condition. Analgesics, herbal remedies were often used for treating their oral health problems. Most of the respondents consulted pharmacist for basic treatment and only decided to approach a dentist if the problem persisted. Majority of respondents were aware of the adverse effect regarding the drug prescribed including expiry date of the medication used. Conclusions: Self-medication for oral health problems prevalence was higher in the population of Davangere city. Pharmacists and family influence played a major role in self-medication for oral health problems.

Parents' knowledge, attitude and practice of antibiotic use for upper respiratory tract infections in children in the United Arab Emirates

Introduction: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in children and are a significant cause of antibiotic abuse. Parents’ attitudes often contribute to the inappropriate prescription of antibiotics and, thus, promote antibiotic resistance. Aims and objectives: The study aimed to explore parental knowledge, attitudes towards and practice of antibiotic use in children with URTIs and to identify the reasons for self-medication and abuse of antibiotics. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at outpatient clinics of Saqr Hospital and Primary Health Care Centre, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. A structured interview questionnaire was used to collect data from 239 parents of children aged <7 years. A pilot study was conducted to test the validity and reliability of the data collection tool. Results: The results showed that more than half (55%) of parents had a poor level of knowledge regarding the role of antibiotics, their indication and efficacy. A total of 68.2% believed that they would be satisfied if the physician did not give a prescription for antibiotics; however, 63% would request antibiotics if the physician did not prescribe them for frequent occurrences of URTIs. A total of 40% of parents treated their children with over-the-counter antibiotics if their child suffered from repeated occurrences of URTIs. Most parents (82.2%) declared that physicians did not provide sufficient information regarding diagnosis and therapy of URTIs. Conclusion: Immediate educational interventions are needed to promote prudent use of antibiotics among parents of children with URTIs. Acknowledgements: The research team sincerely thanks Dr Rasha A Salama for her continued support and help throughout the different research steps.

English

BACKGROUND: Self medication is mainly symptomatic based and may lead to the masking of signs and symptoms of underlying disease. Medical students being exposed to the subjects in medicine are more prone for self medication. This raises the concerns of incorrect self- diagnosis, drug interaction, and use of drugs other than for the original indication. AIMS: To study the pattern of self medication among medical students and to determine the factors affecting it. METHODS AND MATERIAL: STUDY DESIGN & SETTING: A cross-sectional descriptive study done in a medical college. Study Duration: March 15th to April 20th 2013. Participants: Out of 400 students, 302 students who were willing to participate and available during study period were enrolled in the study. Representation from all phases/batches of MBBS course was ensured, accounting to 77, 84, 63 and 78 students from first, second, third and final phase of MBBS. Data collection: By self administered pre-tested & validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done by applying proportions/percentages. RESULTS: Out of 302 participants, 25.8% were males & 74.2% were females. Practice of self medication was reported by 64.9% students. It was 16.9% in first phase students which shoot to 100% in final phase. Practice of self medication was higher in males while the frequency of self medication was higher in females. Seniors (89.8%) and previous prescriptions (87.2%) were the most common sources for reference. Fever (70.4%), common cold (67.8%) and headache/bodyache (64.7%) were the common reasons for self medication. Analgesics (79.6%), antipyretics (79.6%) and anti-histaminic (72.4%) were the most common drugs used for self medication. 30.1% of them took antibiotics and 9.7% sedatives without prescription. 80.1% (157) of those who took self medication said that they prescribed drugs for others also (friends/relatives). None of them suffered any adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: The practice of self medication is widely prevalent in medical students especially among third and final phase students. This may possibly mask the initial signs and symptoms of diseases and lead to making a wrong diagnosis and risk of using a wrong drug. This highlights the importance of impressing the students about the dangers of self medication, their misuse and their responsibility.

Patterns and attitudes of self-medication practices and possible role of community pharmacists in Palestine

This research aims to describe the extent of self-medication, assess possible factors associated with it, identify patients' reasons for self-medication and their attitudes towards the role of pharmacists in self-care so that future interventions can be documented and planned. A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire was conducted. Questionnaires were distributed randomly to 565 persons from all over the West Bank. The questionnaire covered self-medication purchases and experience with minor illnesses. From 565 people approached. 400 (70.8%) agreed to participate in the study Self-medication was reported by 87.0% (n = 348) of cases interviewed, among them 224 (56.0%) used at least one medication without consulting a doctor in the previous month. Analgesics were the most common class used in self-medication by 317 (79.2%) respondents, followed by flu medications (233, 45.3%), and antibiotics (132, 33.0%). The majority reported that they selected medications based on selfdecision and previous use (233, 58.2%). Advice received from pharmacists was another important factor in 216 (54.0%). The most common reasons for self-medication were: their ailments being minor (341, 85.2%) and they had this medical problem before 198 (49.5%). Among 397 respondents, 335 (84.4%) either strongly agreed or agreed that the community pharmacists play an important role in providing advice - when needed - for self-medication. Self-medication practices have been common among people in Palestine. There has been a high rate of using antibiotics without prescription, which requires suitable regulations and interventions to solve this problem. The results have shown a positive attitude towards the role of pharmacists in self-care. Community pharmacists have the potential to make a huge impact in ensuring that medicines are used appropriately.

Pattern, awareness and perceptions of health hazards associated with self medication among adult residents of kano metropolis, northwestern Nigeria

Background:Kano State is the most populous state, and one of those states pronounced with the highest prevalence of drug abuse in Nigeria. However, there is lack of documented data to back the assertion.Objective:We determined the pattern, awareness and perceptions of the adult residents of Kano metropolis about self medication.Materials and Methods:We used a descriptive cross-sectional design to study a random sample of 380 adult in Kano metropolis. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires that were pretested outside the study area. Data analysis was with Epi Info® 3.5.1.Results:The mean age of the subjects was 35.43 ± 15.10 years, majority were males (66.32%), singles (47.11%) and had at least secondary education (67.63%). About three-quarter (78.95%) admitted using drug (s) in the past without prescription. Drugs commonly consumed were antimalarials (42.10%), analgesics (40.56%), antibiotics (29.41%), and cough mixtures (13.31%). Common sources of drugs were patent medicine stores (62.54%) and the market (19.81%). Common reasons for self medication were long queues in the hospitals (38.39%), and in-accessibility to doctors (25.08%). About two-thirds (65.00%) correctly perceived that self medication could be hazardous; and half (51.58%) were aware of at least one hazard of self medication.Conclusion/Recommendations:Irrational drug use is a growing challenge to public health in Kano, Nigeria. Thus, drug regulatory agencies in Nigeria should work together to ensure that all drug retail outlets and drug sellers are registered, controlled drugs are dispensed only on prescription of the physicians; and the laws safeguarding drug use are duly enforced. Health authorities should also strengthen efforts towards health educating the public.

Evaluation of self-medication practices among undergraduate dental students of tertiary care teaching dental hospital in South India

Background: The practice of self-medication may lead to lack of clinical evaluation by a trained medical professional and delay in effective therapy. It is known that even the students of health-care sciences indulge in it. The present study is aimed at assessing the attitude and behavior of dental students toward self-medication. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire based study was conducted in a private dental teaching hospital in South India. The undergraduate dental students from first year to final year who gave consent were included in the study. Information regarding the reason for self-medication, condition for which they self-medicated, type of drugs used, awareness about the drugs used and their source of information was collected. Data was summarized as the number and percentage. Chi-square test was used to test the significance and P Results: The prevalence of self-medication is 62.5%. Headache and mouth ulcers were the most common indications of self-medication. The most commonly used drugs were analgesics, antibiotics and antipyretics. Conclusion: The findings of this study reveal that the majority of the students self-medicate. As these students are future dental practitioners, self-medication as a regular practice by them should be curbed as their behavior may indirectly influence their patient's health.

Self-medication patterns and drug use behavior in housewives belonging to the middle income group in a city in northern India.

Objectives:The objective was to assess the self-medication patterns and drug use behavior in housewives belonging to the middle income group in a city of Haryana State in Northern India.Materials and Methods:A detailed questionnaire designed to assess the self-medication patterns and drug use behavior and interview technique was used to elicit the requisite information. One hundred housewives of the middle income group were interviewed in Rohtak.Results:Most of the housewives were in the habit of keeping the medicines though only 73% of them were in the habit of using it without any prescription. Also it was seen that those housewives who were taking self-medication were better educated than those not indulged in self-medication. All of them were using allopathic drugs on a regular basis while other modes of medications were less used. The self-medication was most commonly based on the previous prescriptions issued by the doctors followed by the suggestions from friends, advertisement on the television, and newspapers. For most of them the reasons for self-medication were financial restraints and lack of time to go to the medical practitioner.Conclusions:The study delineates the difference in the self-medication patterns and drug use behavior in housewives in a city of Northern India. The results emphasize the need for comprehensive measures for intervention strategies to promote rational drug therapy by improving prescribing patterns and influencing self-medication.

Reasons for Self-Medication and Perceptions of Risk Among Mexican Migrant Farm Workers

Although the frequency of self-medication among Mexican migrants has been well-documented in the public health literature, the multiple reasons for this practice are poorly understood. Most studies point to migrants' cultural preferences for Mexican medications, their prior experiences in countries where antibiotics are loosely regulated, and their lack of access to health care as the primary factors behind their self-medication. Based on participant observation and in-depth interviews with 23 Mexican migrants in a farm working community in the interior of California, we argue that occupational vulnerability is an equally important factor that encourages self-medication. All 23 of our interviewees reported having engaged in some degree of self-medication, notable in this location 8 h from the US-Mexico border. Among interviewees, occupational vulnerability represented an even more important factor influencing self-medication than lack of health insurance or lack of legal documentation. While interviewees did express a preference for Mexican medications as more potent and effective, this did not necessarily translate to a preference for using them without a doctor's supervision. Finally, we show that rather than remaining unaware of the risks of following this custom "transported from Latin America", Mexican migrants devised an elaborate hierarchy of resort of the safest self-medication practices to follow.

Self medication for oral health problems in Cameroon

To assess the use of self medication in oral health problems in Cameroon. This multi-regional cross-sectional survey was conducted in three towns; Bamenda, Yaounde and Buea over a 10 month period. The questionnaire elicited information on demography, oral problem for self medication, substance used for self medication, source of the substance, duration of self medication, reason for self medication, source of advice of the drugs or those products used, opinion about the substance, effect and duration. The prevalence of self medication for oral health problems was 67.8% which was significantly associated with age, marital status and location. The most frequently self medicated oral health problem was toothache (54.7%). The majority (64.5%) of the respondents used pharmaceutical products while a minority (7.7%) used dangerous substances such as petrol and vinegar for self medication. Sources of substances of self medication included pharmacy (55.6%), road side vendors (26.1%), native healers (7.8%), mobile drug vendors in buses (5.3%), and others (5.3%). The choice of substances used for self medication was mostly guided by the advice from relatives. The majority of the respondents self-medicated for oral health problems. Unmarried, urban residents, aged 21-30 years reported significantly increased self-medication for oral health problems. Evidently dangerous substances were utilised for self-medication in this study, necessitating awareness and other forms of intervention.

Self medication among hospitalized patients in selected secondary health facilities in South Western Nigeria.

Practice of self-medication has not been evaluated in hospitalized patients especially in Nigerian hospitals. To evaluate the practice of self-medication among hospitalized patients with an aim to unearth some of the reasons for, and perceptions of benefits of this type of behaviour in secondary health care facilities. This study was carried out among 197 in-patients admitted in three secondary health facilities in southwestern Nigeria using structured questionnaire. Effects of variables such as age, gender and marital status on the practice of self medication were also evaluated using the Fisher's Exact test at p<0.05 as level of significance. Response rate of the study was 93.8% with 174 respondents (88.3%) perceived that the medications prescribed for them were efficacious. Almost 38% of the respondents were self-medicating, with herbal medicines (29.2%) and western medicines (37%) partly due to side effects of the prescribed medicines. Thirty one (15.7%) respondents obtained medicines for self medication through relatives and friends. Prescription medicines used for self medication constituted 7.5%. Major reasons given for self medication included habit, availability and necessity. Ninety respondents (35.7%) had been informed by health care personnel about possible side effects of the medications. Ninety six respondents (48.7%) experienced side effects with the prescribed medications and was a major reason for self medication. Seventy six respondents (79.2%) who had side effects or other secondary symptoms informed healthcare personnel in the hospital while 16 (16.7%) informed relatives and friends. There was statistically significant association between age and the action taken on whom was informed (p=0.001). There is need for extra vigilance from health personnel directly responsible for care of hospitalized patients to look for incidences of self-medication and patient education on the negative aspects of administering undisclosed medicines to their health care givers especially while they are hospitalized.

Self‐medication with antibiotics: questionnaire survey among primary care center attendants

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and reasons for self-medication with antibiotics within the last 12 months among primary healthcare center attendants aged 18 or over, in Ankara. A questionnaire was applied by face to face interview technique to 2696 subjects attending at five primary healthcare centers. Information on demographic characteristics, intention to self-medication with antibiotics and self-medication within last 12 months were collected. It was found that 28% of the subjects were storing antibiotics at home. The percentage of self-administering antibiotics was 19.1% in the last 12 months. The most common reasons for self-administration of antibiotics were sore throat (59.6%), fever (46.2%), and cough (40.0%). Other reasons were dental infection, rheumatism, and fatigue. According to age groups, the most common self-medicating group was those aged 40-49 with 23% while the least self-usage was in the 60-69 age groups with 11.8%. Male sex, being single, educational level of secondary school or higher, being employed and not having social security increased self-administration of antibiotics (p < 0.05). The study indicated the need for legal regulations regarding the sale of antibiotics without prescription and, health education is required for the community to decrease the inappropriate use of antibiotics and self-medication.

Automedicación y ancianos. La realidad de un botiquín casero

Objective To estimate the prevalence of self-medication in the elderly, to describe the characteristics of self-medication and home medicine cabinets. Design Cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting An urban primary health care (PHC) centre in Spain. Participants A total of 240 patients 75 years of age or older. Main measurements A structured questionnaire filled in by home care nurses from April to June 2006. Self-medication was classified into 4 sub-groups: pharmacological or herbal, exclusively pharmacological, exclusively herbal and pharmacological and herbal. The study variables were: age, sex, living alone, number of chronic diseases, number of chronic prescriptions and medicine cabinet characteristics (drugs accumulation, expired drugs, chronic drugs out of prescription, location of medicine chest and periodic review). Other variables were: drug types, source, and acute/chronic reason for self-medication. Results Self-medication frequency was 31,2% (95% CI, 26–36), with 22.9% (95% CI, 17.5–27.5) being pharmacological and 15.4% (95% CI, 23.1–17.3), herbal. The drugs most used in self-medication were analgesics (30.9%) and cold remedies (27.2%). The pharmacy was the most usual source (49.3%). A total of 41.6% contained drugs that were out of chronic prescription, and 34.4% accumulated more than three boxes of the same medication. Conclusions There is a significant prevalence of self-medication among the elderly. Accumulating drugs in homes is a very extensive practice. Pharmacists and PHC professionals need to be trained in the responsible use of chronic and self-medication. Although self-care has to be encouraged, PHC professionals must make their patients aware of the harmful effects of self-medication.

Automedicación en el personal de enfermería hospitalaria

Objective To determine self-medication behavior in a group of hospital nurses and to identify the drugs most commonly used in self-medication and how nurses obtained them. Method A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed through a self-administered questionnaire. The subjects consisted of nursing professionals in the Complejo Hospitalario Arquitecto Marcide-Profesor Novoa Santos, in A Coruña (Spain). The variables gathered included: socio-occupational data, information on the frequency of medication consumption, type of medication, prescription, means of obtaining medication, reasons for self-medication, and nursing professionals’ opinions on the practice of self-medication. Results In 2004, 91% (51 nurses) took medicines. Only 14.3% (8 nurses) had been prescribed the medication and only 8.9% (5 nurses) always asked their family doctor for a prescription. Notable among the complaints for which nursing professionals self-medicated were: migraine, backache, fever, and injuries. The most commonly consumed drugs without medical prescription were anti-influenza drugs, analgesics and antipyretics. Conclusion The prevalence of self-medication among nursing staff in this study was 85.6%, coinciding with the percentage of nurses in favor of responsible medication for mild processes.

Self-Medication of Dyspepsia: How Appropriate Is It?

Background: The scope of self-medication is increasing in many countries, and drugs for dyspepsia are a popular group for deregulative activities. This study investigated what kind of upper gastrointestinal symptoms people self-medicate and how appropriate this self-medication is. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was given to 50 consecutive customers buying antacids, alginates, or sucralfates in 10 pharmacies in the capital area in Finland in 1995. In half of the pharmacies the questionnaire was returned by mail, and in the other half the questionnaire was filled out at the pharmacy. The response rate was 53% (n = 292). Results: The commonest reasons for self-medication were heartburn (88%), gastrointestinal pain (31%), and acid regurgitation (32%). Seventy-five per cent of respondents had used dyspepsia drugs for more than a year. The commonest way to self-medicate was to interchange regular and occasional use. Knowledge about the proper use of dyspepsia drugs was poor, and 6% of respondents had symptoms contraindicating self-medication but had not visited a physician during the past year. Patients more than 60 years old were especially at risk of potential inappropriate use. Conclusions: Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for dyspepsia are likely to be used improperly. A physician's advice on the use of OTC dyspepsia drugs, in addition to detailed printed information about drug action and proper administration, would be important means to guarantee appropriate use of these drugs.

SELF-MEDICATION PRACTICES AND PERCEPTIONS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS OF MULTAN MEDICAL &amp; DENTAL COLLEGE, MULTAN

Background: Self-medication can be defined as "the drugs which are used to treat self-diagnosed disorders or indications, or the irregular or continued use of a prescribed drug for persistent or recurrent disease or symptoms." Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was performed to understand the perceptions and practices about self-medication among students admitted to one of medical colleges in Pakistan located in Multan. A structured Questionnaire was distributed to the consenting students. The data were coded, entered and analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0. Out of 95 medical students 47.7% (n=45) were males and 52.3% (n=55) were females. Results: Among participants, self-medication was found in 98% (n=93) cases. Among self-medication respondents, more than 50% treated themselves only once while 32% twice, 12% thrice and only 2.1 % more than thrice. Self-medication was equally common in 3rd year, fourth year and final year medical students. While 24.2% of respondents perceived as a good practice, 42.1% took it as an acceptable practice while33.7% were of opinion that it was a totally unacceptable practice. The study revealed different reasons for self-medication and found that the most common reason was non-seriousness of disease i.e 43.2%, followed by convenience / time factor 42.1%, Cost saving 13.7% and least one was the non-availability of physician 1.1% . Regarding the use of drugs, antibiotics were the most common class used as self-medication 27.4%, followed by anti allergics 23.2%, vitamins 17.9%, pain killers 16.8% and antacids in 14.7 % cases. Conclusion: The study results indicate that Self-medication was common among medical students from clinical classes and most of students treated themselves at least once.