What is self-medication? When you self administers treatment for physical or mental conditions, that’s self-medication.
What happens when parents medicate their kids using OTC (over the counter) drugs or refill an old prescription without consulting?
- The child gets better-Best scenario.
- The child gets better, and the symptoms recur after a few days-commonest cases.
- Symptoms get worse- often enough to be a cause for concern.
- A constant worry for parents.
What are you supposed to do when it’s late, you or your child have an earache and you can’t visit a clinic?
For Ear nose throat -What you should(not) do is what I will talk about today. A few incidents to give the background behind this post.
Case 1 :The case of the mixed up prescription
One of my patients mommy today told me about how her two year-old girls’ ears were aching since five days and started discharging blood mixed with pus .The child was having a cold for a week now and the mommy started an antibiotic prescribed from another doctor’s (one year) old prescription .Mommy also used my one year old prescription to buy the ear drop.
None of the previous prescriptions were available.The antibiotic was named but not the ear drop.Surprisingly common behavior. Read about acute otitis media here .
(For the sake of privacy personal details are not mentioned. )
Case 2 Thinking all ear drop are created equal
I had prescribed an ear drop for ear wax, 6 months back.Some of the drop was left.
The parent applied the same ear drop six months later, for a sudden earache.Me speechless.Again no prescription.
In both these cases the child was in severe pain.
Case 3 Nasal Spray Addiction
Mommy had a stuffy nose. She was using OTC nose drops for many years.Child has a stuffy nose, mom starts giving the child the same adult nose drop. Mother has rebound aggravation and the child suffers too.
This condition is called Rhinitis medicamentosa. When nose problems get worse by self-medication and overuse of OTC nose drops.
It’s a rebound nasal stuffiness most often due to OTC vasoconstriction(blood vessels are contracted) nasal drops.Its also known as Nasal spray addiction.
One of the common nose drop which is used for self medication is xymetazoline or oxymetazoline drops like Otrivin,Xylomist,Diconal etc.
So are these nasal drops like Otrivin safe to use?
When you use products like these as an adult,for two or three days within prescribed limits , its safe enough.But overuse,abuse ,excessive dosage and using on kids are never safe.
What happens if you use Otrivin for more than seven days ?Any side effects?
The problem of nasal blockage and feeling stuffy increases and worsening of nasal mucosa swelling.You may have feelings of anxiety irritability ,dryness of nose ,dryness of the back of throat ,sudden racing of heart,palpitations, difficulty sleeping,sudden mood swings ,sudden tremors and more .
Is it safe to use Nasal sprays instead of nose drops?
It depends on the product used.If its a normal saline spray its unlikely to be a problem.But all medicated products need to be taken after consultation with your doctor .
What could be behind self-medication and parents medicating their kids without medical consultation?
The reasons are multiple and multifactorial. As parents, you and I want to help our kids the best we can. With online healthcare access, many such problems at odd hours may be helped.
The problem of random self medication is worrying but when it’s your kid you need to be triple-y sure .
Few things to remember about self-medication problems
Never use ear drops,nose drops, eye drops ,ointments after expiry date.
Always use them within one month of opening to avoid problems .
Never self Medicate when it’s your sense organs, the harm could be permanent.
Never self Medicate when it’s your kid.
Never reuse your old prescription or that of your family members. Any pain which keeps you awake is serious .
Even OTC drugs, nutritional supplements can cause trouble. Side effects, complications, and drug reactions all occur when taken alone or in combination with prescription drugs.
Any condition persisting beyond two days in kids need check up.
Anything which doesn’t get better within 2 weeks will need a workup.
If you have a pre existing condition, always know when you should follow up.
Get Teleconsultation done if unable to visit in person.
Diabetes makes all infections worse,so take good care of your blood sugar.
Today for content that gives Expert advice I decided to tell you some of the things I always tell my patients. Don’t self medicate unless you can self manage the complications. It can cause unintentional, permanent harm. Choose your health care with CARE because “this” is the only body you have. Some ENT topics which will help you.
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Great article. I truly truly hope that this article reaches to as many people as possible. Self medication is the most dangerous.
So agree, Amrita it’s really important to understand that medicines should never be taken by ourselves. I am glad you have shared this.
Yes I truly believe that self medication one shouldn’t and neither give medications like you mentioned to others. It can have ghastly effects. The case number third I have seen happening and had intervened and stopped one such relative .
OTC and self medication are the worst of all! Thanks a lot for sharing this info!I had myself experienced side effects cos of otc ????
Self medication can be very dangerous sometimes . I do self medicate sometimes but that only for normal cold or acidity , like this . But for kids I always go with the pediatrician.your points are very informative.
I agree with Dr Amrita, self-medication may be dangerous. The doctor diagnoses based on various categories. We can’t assume the problem the only doctor can understand the symptoms.
I guess parents become lazy in getting touch with the doc for the prescription. I never self medicate the kids as the dosage changes according to the age and weight. I always consult the doctor. And never self medicate myself too unless it is as simple as common cold.
Your advice is great. For specific pain and ailments self-medication must not be done. Reaching the specialist through physical or teleconsultation is a good idea.
Self medication for kids or adults should never be done. It has high risks and side effects as well. You’ve made good points by sharing the case history.
I was totally aghast to read the cases you have shared, it’s horrifying. Thank you for raising this question, everyone should know that it is not okay to self medicate. And especially when it comes to our kids, we should be extra careful.
Self-medicating is a fairly common practice in India and you are absolutely right- we should not be so foolhardy with medicines! Great post and podcast!
One of your best articles dear must be shared as much as possible self medication is one of the bigger menaces we face in real
Yes self medication is really risky and could cause more harm than good. Thanks a lot for sharing this useful information. Will help lots of parents to understand the consequences of self medication.
You talked about a very important point. Parents often use over the counter medicines without consulting their doctor. But it cause serious damage. Not everyime we get a second chance.
You raise some good points. In fact I am also prone to self medicating at times. But only for stuff like cold etc. However completely agree that for anything even a little more serious, one needs to go to a doctor.
Yes. It helps avoid problems in the long run.
Helpful advice. Even over the counter medication can be dangerous, especially when given to a child. I also wonder about the safety of herbal remedies. I think that some might be very dangerous.
Anything which can affect our health and wellness needs careful thought. Thank you.
I could never figure out why people would give outdate meds or refill a prescription that should be. Great info, thanks.
Thanks Martha
You make good points! Parents need to discern what is a light symptom and what needs medical assessment.
Yes.I think so too.
Hmm. I’ve had a sinus infection for over two weeks now. Maybe I should go in. It hasn’t gotten worse, so I figured it was a virus taking a long time to run its course. Plus, I hate taking antibiotics unless I absolutely must.
Oh yes, you should get that checked out.