Self-administration of Over-the-counter Medication for Pain Among Adolescents

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Abstract
Objective: To examine over-the-counter (OTC) medication use and self-administration of medication among adolescents. Design: In-person survey. Settings: Three public junior high schools in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Participants: Six hundred fifty-one junior high school students (7th, 8th, and 9th grades). Main Outcome Measures: A questionnaire regarding OTC medication use and self-administration for head; stomach; ear and throat; muscle, joint, and back; and menstrual pains. Results: Of those who reported taking medication, many adolescents (58.7%-95.9%) reported taking OTC medications for each pain. Medications and knowledge about medications were obtained from a variety of sources, primarily parents. Self-administration was widespread; 58.3% to 75.9% of adolescents reported taking an OTC medication for pain without first checking with an adult in the previous 3 months. Self-administration of medication without the knowledge of adults increased significantly from grades 7 to 9 for all types of pain. Girls tended to self-administer medication more than boys. Higher levels of pain frequency and intensity were related to higher levels of self-administration for all pains except muscle, joint, and back pain. Adolescents reported that they began to self-administer medication between the ages of 11 and 12 years. Conclusion: Although a relatively responsible picture of self-administration of medication emerges, some adolescents engaged in inappropriate OTC medication use (eg, the common use of aspirin), highlighting the importance of providing adolescents with correct information about these medications. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997;151:449-455

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