Self-Medication Practices among the Adolescent Population of South Karnataka, India

Table 2

Distribution of practices of self-medication (N: 173).

Sample characteristics	Frequency (f)	Percentage (%)
Treated continuously with self-medication (n = 52)
Yes	52	30.0
Duration of treating with self-medication (n = 52)
1–4 days	17	9.8
5–8 days	35	20.3
Expiry date verification
Yes	52	30.0
No	121	70.0
Verification of expiry dates (n = 52)
After consumption	12	23.0
Before taking	31	59.7
Forgot	2	3.84
Time of purchase	7	13.5
Reading instructions in the medicine package
Always	101	58.5
Sometimes	70	40.4
Never	2	1.1
Adverse events (n = 24)
Allergy	5	2.8
Diarrhea	4	2.3
Headache	9	5.2
Rashes	2	1.1
Vomiting	4	2.3
Medications stored at home (n = 162)
Syrup Alex	11	6.7
Syrup Benadryl	15	9.2
T. Paracetamol	44	27.3
T. Panadol	36	22.4
T. Grenil	2	1.2
T. Combiflam	6	3.7
T. Metacin	4	2.4
Do not remember	44	27.3