Self-medication with over the counter drugs among elderly adults.
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Laurie M. Kennedy-Malone (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is an economical choice of treatment
for common self-limiting illnesses. As more medications are made available as
OTC drugs, and as the population of older adults continues to increase, a need arises to
monitor how elderly individuals use these agents. The purpose of this study was to
assess the self-medication practices with OTC drugs among older adults. The study took
place in a city in North Carolina in apartments managed by the city’s Housing Authority
and a private physician’s office. Participants included 39 adults ages 59 to 91.
Respondents lived independently, used OTC drugs, and were responsible for their
health care decisions. Conn’s Self-Medication Practice Tool was used to assess symptoms
the older adults were treating with OTC drugs; therapeutic categories of OTC
drugs used; frequency of OTC drugs used; and the use of alcohol, prescription drugs,
and caffeine. The respondents reported pain as the symptom most frequently self-treated
with OTC drugs. Ninety percent of the respondents used pain medicine, and approximately
two thirds (67%) of the respondents used at least one high blood pressure medicine.
More than half of the respondents (59%) used caffeine daily, and 10% used alcohol.
The researchers concluded that older adults might be unaware of the adverse risks
associated with concurrent use of pain medicines, alcohol, high blood pressure drugs,
and regular caffeine use. This makes it necessary for all nurses and other clinicians providing
health care to older adults to intensify efforts to educate and guard these patients
and ensure appropriate use of OTC drugs.
Self-medication with over the counter drugs among elderly adults.
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Journal of Gerontological Nursing. 29 (8) 10-15.
- Language: English
- Date: 2004
- Keywords
- Older people, Drugs, Medications, Over the counter, Use