Adolescents' use of prescribed drugs and over-the-counter preparations

The objectives of this paper are to present data on the self-reported use of prescribed and over-the-counter drugs among young people aged 11-12 and 14-15 years and to examine factors associated with the use of prescribed drugs, over-the-counter painkillers and cough and cold treatments.

Data were collected from a representative sample of pupils aged 11-12 years old and 14-15 years old attending 85 schools in Trent Region. Results are based on replies from approximately 8500 pupils in each year group. Pupils were asked to self-report usage by ticking a list of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs or medicines.

Girls aged 14-15 years are more likely than others to have used at least one of the drugs in the previous week, with 40 per cent of girls in this age group having used a non-prescribed painkiller. Young people with a long-term illness or previous injuries are more likely to report having used prescribed drugs and/or over-the-counter painkillers. Family car-ownership, a proxy for socio-economic status, is not associated with the use of those drugs examined in more detail.

The levels of use of over-the-counter drugs, particularly those with potential side effects, indicate that further studies are needed to examine patterns of use in more detail and that health education about self-medication is appropriate among young people aged 11-12 years and above.