title: The use of prescription medicines and self-medication among children--a population-based study in Finland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
authors: School of Pharmacy/Social Pharmacy, Campus of Kuopio, University of Eastern Finland, Finland.
authors: Sanna
authors: S
authors: Ylinen
authors: Katri
authors: K
authors: Hämeen-Anttila
authors: Kati
authors: K
authors: Sepponen
authors: Asa Kettis
authors: AK
authors: Lindblad
authors: Riitta
authors: R
authors: Ahonen
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004347:Drug Interactions; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D012651:Self Medication; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs