title: Prescribed and over-the-counter medicine use by the ambulatory elderly.
abstract: This article examines use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs among a linear probability sample of ambulatory elderly. As previous research has shown, health status indicators are better predictors of use of prescription than nonprescription medications. The analysis suggests that self-medication with over-the-counter drugs may be a first step in illness behavior, rather than a substitute for physician consultation. These preparations are used most frequently for symptoms that the elderly person interprets as nonthreatening; persons concerned about their health are more likely to consult a physician.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, State University of New York, Plattsburgh 12901.
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Stoller
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009518:New York; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D012651:Self Medication; D012803:Sick Role; D013315:Stress, Psychological
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs