Patients' knowledge and perceptions of the side-effects of OTC medication

To investigate the knowledge of patients with regard to the side-effects of over-the-counter medicines.

This took the form of ethnographic interviews and focus groups.

Patients generally had poor knowledge of the potential side-effects of their medication. However, this appeared not to affect their ability to identify adverse drug reactions (ADRs). A number of the patients had experienced ADRs, and they identified a medicine as the cause because of the timing or unexpected nature of the symptom. The patients obtained information about medicines from many sources, including health care professionals, friends and family. Despite wide availability, patient information leaflets were rarely used by the patients. The leaflets were usually only read if the medicine was new or if a side-effect was experienced. Negative views of the leaflets included poor design and long lists of side-effects.

Accurate information and advice from health care professionals could serve to reassure patients and to ensure they are well informed about the medicines they take.