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Self-medication

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Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine

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Synonyms

Self-treatment

Definition

Self-medication is the use of medications, treatments, and/or substances by an individual without a medical prescription. Self-medication is the most popular form of self-care, which is defined as the personal preservation of health through prevention and self-treatment of ailments (Ryan, Wilson, Taylor, & Greenfield, 2009). In regards to self-care, substances used to self-medicate include but are not limited to over-the-counter (OTC) medications, nutritional supplements, and other nonprescription medications. The number of OTC medications has increased significantly, allowing more individuals to practice self-medication. These nonprescription medications can be purchased at various locations such as pharmacies, supermarkets, and retail superstores (Wazaify, Shields, Hughes, & McElnay, 2005).

This increase in self-medicating practices entails both advantages and disadvantages. The benefits of self-medication include increased access to treatment,...

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References and Readings

  • Bradley, C., & Blenkinsopp, A. (1996). Over the counter drugs: The future for self medication. British Medical Journal, 312, 835–837.

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  • Hughes, C. M., McElnay, J. C., & Fleming, G. F. (2001). Benefits and risks of self medication. Drug Safety, 24(14), 1027–1037.

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  • Ryan, A., Wilson, S., Taylor, A., & Greenfield, S. (2009). Factors associated with self-care activities among adults in the united kingdom: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 9, 96.

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  • Wazaify, M., Shields, E., Hughes, C. M., & McElnay, J. C. (2005). Societal perspectives on over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Family Practice, 22, 170–176.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, 20 North Pine Street, Room S445, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA

    Nicole Brandt Pharm.D

Authors
  1. Nicole Brandt Pharm.D
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicole Brandt Pharm.D .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Behavioral Medicine Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA

    Marc D. Gellman

  2. Cardiovascular Safety, Quintiles, Durham, NC, USA

    J. Rick Turner

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© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media, New York

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Brandt, N. (2013). Self-medication. In: Gellman, M.D., Turner, J.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_1501

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_1501

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1004-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1005-9

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