QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Résumé Extracto Full Text PDF For Our Patients Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Articles Ahead of Print [Order Reprint] Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by De Bolle, L. Articles by Christiaens, T. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by De Bolle, L. Articles by Christiaens, T.

Home Medication Cabinets and Self-Medication: A Source of Potential Health Threats?

Postdoctoral Researcher, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Els Mehuys, MSPharm PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University

Els Adriaens, MS PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University

Jean-Paul Remon, MSPharm PhD

Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University

Luc Van Bortel, MD PhD

Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, Heymans Institute of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University

Thierry Christiaens, MD PhD

Professor of General Practice, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care and Heymans Institute of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University

Reprints: Prof. Dr. Christiaens, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Gent, Belgium, fax 329 240 49 67, thierry.christiaens{at}ugent.be

BACKGROUND: Data regarding the contents of home medication cabinets (HMCs), the management of leftover medications, and the inclination of patients toward self-initiated treatment using nonprescription drugs are scarce.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the nature and safety of medication storage and intended self-medication in a general population.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 72 Belgian community pharmacies. Pharmacy customers (N = 288, aged 18-80 y) were visited in their homes by pharmacy students. The HMCs were inventoried and the participants were interviewed.

RESULTS: A mean of 31 ± 17 (range 6-136) drug packages were identified per household; in one-third of the cases, the packages were not stored safely. Prescription drugs accounted for 34% of the total. The most frequently encountered categories of registered medicines were nonopioid analgesics (7.2%), nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (6.9%), nasal decongestants (3.5%) and antinausea agents (3.2%). Despite their high prevalence, NSAIDs and non-opioid analgesics did not predominate among the most frequently used drugs, whereas food supplements were used daily in 23.3% of households. Twenty-one percent of the drugs were expired, 9% were not stored in the original container, and the package insert was missing for 18%. Self-initiated treatment was considered for 56% of all drugs (over-the-counter drugs, 74%; prescription drugs, 21%). Indication, dosage, or treatment duration was misjudged by only 5.2% of the participants, but consulting the package insert was allowed. The tendency toward self-treatment decreased with age and with increasing number of medications taken daily (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS: We found large amounts of drugs per household, with a high prevalence of analgesics and NSAIDs. Self-medication, although generally acceptable in terms of indication and dosage, was commonly practiced, also with prescription drugs. Taking into account that younger people showed a significantly higher intention of self-medication, a sustained awareness of the risks of self-medication is warranted for the future.

Key Words: Belgium, home medication, self-treatment

Published Online, March 25, 2008. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1K533