Tips for Self-medication

Self-medication means treating ourselves for temporary or minor health problems that are easily recognisable. These problems can be treated with over-the-counter medicines that can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. Why? It’s simple. Their use and composition have been shown to be suitable for independent use.

We have to be very careful. We have to follow the advice of our doctor or pharmacist and we have to inform them if our symptoms appear frequently or persist.

What are over-the-counter medicines useful for?

Self-medication products are suitable for many problems.

Have you ever suffered from occasional pain? I mean toothache, joint pain, inflammation, period pain, headache.

Have you ever suffered from seasonal illness? I mean coughs, colds, fever, flu symptoms.

Have you ever suffered from digestive problems? I mean slow digestion, heartburn, constipation or diarrhoea.

We have to be careful: we do not have to ignore possible contraindications and the possible side effects. We have to read the instruction leaflet before taking or using these medicines.

We have to look for the red label

In many countries all over-the-counter medicines have a red label on the packet, with the words” Over-the-counter medicine”. What does it mean? This means that we can purchase them without being examined by a doctor and without a doctor’s prescription.

Advice for self-medication

Before taking or using the medicines, we have to read the instruction leaflet

We have to check the expiry date

We have to store the medicines in a cool, dark place

We have to consult our doctor if the medicines are for the elderly, pregnant women or children

Before purchasing a medicine, we have to ask our pharmacist for advice.

We do not have to take the medicine for longer than the period indicated on the instruction leaflet

Image via Wikipedia