Self-medication with over-the-counter drugs and complementary medications in South Australia's elderly population
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Date
2009
Authors
Goh, Lynn Yeen
Vitry, Agnes I
Semple, Susan J
Esterman, Adrian Jeffrey
Luszcz, Mary Alice
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BioMed Central Ltd
Rights
Rights Holder
Abstract
A number of surveys have examined use of complementary and alternative
medicines (CAM) in Australia. However, there are limited Australian data on use of CAM and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines in the elderly population. The main aims of this study were to
examine self-medication practices with CAM and OTC medicines among older Australians and
variables associated with their use. Participants seemed to self-medicate in accordance with approved indications,
suggesting they were informed consumers, actively looking after their own health. However, use
of analgesics and aspirin are associated with an increased risk of adverse drug events in the elderly.
Future work should examine how self-medication contributes to polypharmacy and increases the
risk of adverse drug reactions.
Description
Keywords
Medicinal drug use, Elderly people, Australia, Health
Citation
Goh, L.Y., Vitry, A., Semple, S.J., Esterman, A., & Luszcz, M.A., 2009. Self-medication with over-the-counter drugs and complementary medications in South Australia's elderly population. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 9(42), 1-10.