| The use of prescription medicines and self-medication among children--a population-based study in Finland. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20712023 Owner: NLM Status: In-Process |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and concomitant use of prescription medicines and self-medication, including over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins, and complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) among Finnish children aged under 12 years. METHODS: We carried out a nationwide postal survey of the use of medicines by a representative sample (n = 6000) of Finnish children aged under 12 years in spring 2007. A response rate of 67% (n = 4032) was achieved. The current use of prescription medicines and the use of OTC medicines, vitamins, and CAMs in the preceding 2 days were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: In total, 17% of children had used prescription medicines and 50% some self-medication. The corresponding figures for OTC medicines, vitamins, and CAMs use were 17, 37, and 11%, respectively. Drugs for obstructive airway diseases were the most common prescription medicines, whereas analgesics and antipyretics, including non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-medicines (NSAID), were the most common OTC medicines reported. Vitamin D was the most common vitamin, while fish oils and fatty acids were the most common CAMs used. Ten percent of the children had used prescription medicines and self-medication concomitantly. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the children's medication consists of self-medication, and especially of vitamin use. However, also a considerable proportion had used prescription medicines, and a minority prescription medicines and self-medication concomitantly. In three of the cases, a combination of prescription and OTC medicine with a potential risk for interactions were found. Physicians should be aware of this wide use of self-medication when prescribing medicines. |
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Authors:
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Sanna Ylinen; Katri Hämeen-Anttila; Kati Sepponen; Asa Kettis Lindblad; Riitta Ahonen |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety Volume: 19 ISSN: 1099-1557 ISO Abbreviation: Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf Publication Date: 2010 Oct |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-09-30 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9208369 Medline TA: Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1000-8 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
Affiliation:
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School of Pharmacy/Social Pharmacy, Campus of Kuopio, University of Eastern Finland, Finland. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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