Year: 2026 | Month: August | Volume: 13 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 524-527
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260855
Prevalence and Pattern of Over-The-Counter Drug Use Among Adults in Selected Areas of Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu: A Cross-Sectional Study
R. Nivedita Bharathi1, Sujitha Rani2, K. Asha3, T. Azhagu Jothi4, M. Deepalakshmi5, A. Dharshini6, K. Elakkiya Sri7, X. Epsipa8
1Professor, 2Nursing Tutor, 3,4,5,6,7,8III Year B.Sc. (N) Students,
V.V. Vanniaperumal Nursing College for Women, Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu, India
Corresponding Author: R. Nivedita Bharathi
ABSTRACT
Background: Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are widely used for the self-management of minor ailments because of their accessibility and convenience. However, inappropriate use may result in incorrect dosing, drug interactions, adverse effects and delays in seeking professional healthcare. The present study assessed the prevalence and pattern of OTC drug use among adults in selected areas of Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu.
Methods: A quantitative, non-experimental descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 adults residing in Kumaralingapuram and Indiranagar, Virudhunagar. Participants were selected using non-purposive convenience sampling. Data were collected through an interview using a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of demographic variables, a dichotomous question assessing prevalence of OTC drug use, and questions assessing the pattern of use. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings, and the chi-square test was used to examine associations between selected demographic variables and OTC drug-use patterns.
Results: All participants (100%) reported using OTC medicines without a doctor's prescription. All participants reported using OTC medicines for minor ailments. Headache was the most commonly reported reason for use (81%). Most participants (84%) reported using OTC medicines sometimes. Although 60% checked the expiry date and 69% followed dosage instructions, 51% did not read the drug label before use. Most participants did not exceed the recommended dose (85%), use more than one OTC medicine simultaneously (84%), or combine OTC medicines with prescribed medicines (80%). Pharmacists were the most common source of medication information (51%), and all participants reported purchasing OTC medicines from a medical shop near their home.
Conclusion: OTC drug use was highly prevalent among the adults studied. Although several safe medication practices were reported, gaps such as failure to read drug labels remain. Community-based medication-safety education and appropriate counselling by nurses and other healthcare professionals are needed to promote rational OTC drug use.
Keywords: Over-the-counter drugs; self-medication; medication safety; adults; community health nursing; Virudhunagar.
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