title: Self-medication for cough and the common cold: information needs of consumers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the high use of over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines, little is known about Australia's cough and cold medicines information needs. The aim of this study was to identify gaps in consumers' perceived knowledge and concerns, to better target consumer medicines information and improve quality use of medicines.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed cough-and-cold related enquiries from consumers who contacted an Australian national medicine call centre between September 2002 and June 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 5503 cough and cold calls, female callers made up 86% of the calls and 33% were related to children. Questions most frequently related to drug-drug interactions (29%). An analysis of narratives over an 18-month period (248 calls) revealed 20% of the calls concerned potentially clinically relevant interactions, particularly those involving psychotropic agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The potential for interactions with cough and cold medicines purchased OTC is recognised by consumers. Patient information should address their concerns. Doctors should be aware of the common cough and cold interactions and communicate likely clinical symptoms to patients when prescribing medication to prevent potential harm.
authors.affiliation: MD, Faculty of Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands, Faculty of Medicine.
authors.forename: Sanne Maartje
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kloosterboer
authors.forename: Treasure
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McGuire
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deckx
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moses
authors.forename: Theo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Verheij
authors.forename: Mieke L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: van Driel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D003139:Common Cold / Q000188:drug therapy*; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs