Abstract
One of the ways in which body pain can be relieved is by medications which are readily available. Over-the-counter Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory (OTC-NSAIDs) drugs are the most common for this purpose. However, OTC-NSAIDs are associated with side effects that range from mild to serious. In this context, the study aims to determine the profile of the respondents and their patterns of intake of OTC-NSAIDs and its perceived side effects. A descriptive type of research was utilized to profile the 90 respondents selected through purposive sampling technique. Majority of the respondents were female, with age groups are 40 and above and 40 and below and are mostly employed. The respondents’ intake of the OTC-NSAIDs were according to the most frequent causes namely: headache, backache, body ache and shoulder pain. The study revealed generic mefenamic acid, 250mg as the medication taken for up to two days or after the pains eased to which the duration of intake lasted up to 6 months only, though there were respondents whose duration of intake lasted for 1 year or longer. Although there were side-effects such as drowsiness/sleepiness, abdominal pains due to acidity, dizziness, and mild diarrhea being experienced, most of the respondents depend on the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the pains they experienced.
Keywords: dosage, intake, NSAID, OTC, pattern, side effects
References
Adams, G., & Salomons, T. V. (2021). Attending work with chronic pain is associated with higher levels of psychosocial stress. Canadian journal of pain Revue canadienne de la douleur, 5(1), 107–116. https://doi.org/10.1080/24740527.2021.1889925
Barrel, Amanda. (2020). Why do I feel tired and dizzy? Medical Plus Today. www.medicalnewstoday.com
Buffum M, Buffum JC. (2000). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in elderly. Pain Manag Nurs. 1(2):40-50. DOI: 10.1053/jpmn.2000.7779
Carter, Alan. 2019. Mefenamic Acid, Oral Capsule. Healthline Newsletter. https://www.healthline.com/health/mefenamic-acid-oral-capsule#take-as-directed
Chen, J., Murtaza, G., Nadeem, N., Shao, X., Siddiqi, B. G., Shafique, Z., Ahmad, S., Amjad, S. T., Haroon, S., Tanoli, M., & Zhou, M. (2014). A questionnaire-based survey study for the evaluation of knowledge of Pakistani University teachers regarding their awareness about ibuprofen as an over the counter analgesic. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica, 71(2), 337–342.
Doomra, R and Goyal, A. (2020). NSAIDs an self-medication: A serious concern. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_201_20
El Tumi, H., Johnson, M. I., Dantas, P., Maynard, M. J., & Tashani, O. A. (2017). Age-related changes in pain sensitivity in healthy humans: A systematic review with meta-analysis. European journal of pain, 21(6), 955–964. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1011
Gabriel SE and Matteson EL. 2012. Economic and Quality of life impact of NSAIDs in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Available at link.springer.com/article
Goldstein J and Cryer B. 2015. Gastrointestinal injury associated with NSAID use: a case study and review of risk factors and preventative strategies. Dove Medicine Press Limited. Available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4310346#-ffn-sectitle
Gooch, K., Culleton, B.F., Manns, B.J., Zhang, J., Alfonso, H., Tonelli, M., Frank, C., Klarenbach, S., Hemmelgam, B. R. (2007, March 1). NSAID use and progression of chronic kidney disease. The American Journal of Medicine, 120 (3), 280.E1-280.E7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2006.02.015
Heneghan C and Brassey J. 2020. NSAIDs in Acute Respiratory Infection. Available at cebm.net/covid-19/nsaids-in-acute-respiratory-infection
Ho K. Y. (2020). Perceptions and Beliefs Regarding NSAIDs in the Asia-Pacific Region. Journal of pain research, 13, 437–446. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S229387
Iker, K. (2019, July 8). Low Back Pain among Workers: The Problem and What to Do About It. [NIOSH Science Blog] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2019/07/08/lbp/?fbclid=IwAR24OM6aP1IxsmPbeIg5KyGv_xq9Mi5onNrQ3NiSQq-JnmBvq32UVcU6o7c
Jacques, E. (2022, September 3). NSAIDs for Chronic Pain: Risks of Long-Term Use: Repetitive weekly and monthly use is linked to GI and heart issues. Very well health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/nsaids-for-chronic-pain-2564481#toc-is-long-term-use-safe
Khan SA, Afridi R, Afridi UK, Sadozai S. Prescribing pattern and drug-drgu interactions of analgesics prescribed for pain management in a Pakistani tertiary hospital. J. App Pharm. 2016;8(4):2
Koffeman, A.R., Valkhoff, V.E., Çelik, S., Jong, G.W., Sturkenboom, M.CJM., Bindels, PJE, van der Lei, J., Luijsterburg, PAJ and Bierma-Zeinstra, SMA (April 2014). High-risk use of over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a population-based cross-sectional study. British Journal of General Practice, 64 (621), e-191-e198. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp14X677815
Magnavita N. (2022). Headache in the Workplace: Analysis of Factors Influencing Headaches in Terms of Productivity and Health. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(6), 3712. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063712
Meneghetti, A. (2020, September 11). Upper Respiratory Tract Infection Treatment & Management. Medscape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/302460-treatment?fbclid=IwAR2DWgXyZGc4ixNxhR903BjkmmxdHk8LGUAZPLEoQTwRBRKUDd7a3IQQ844#d1
Meneghetti, A. (2020, September 11). Which medications in the drug class NSAIDs are used in the treatment of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection? Medscape. https://www.medscape.com/answers/302460-89631/which-medications-in-the-drug-class-nsaids-are-used-in-the-treatment-of-upper-respiratory-tract-infection?fbclid=IwAR3BZT1kRR3CWPN6PaxReyPZDLXqbFfzseWuitiH4lSoMIEp1GLmAOvye7Q
MacGill, M. (2021, July 20). Everything you need to know about NSAIDs. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/179211
Motola, D., Vaccheri, A., Silvani, M.C., Polluzi, E., Bottoni, A., De Fonti, F., Montanaro, N. (2004). Patterns of used in the Italian general population: A questionnaire-based survey. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 60 (10), 731-738.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). (2022). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/11086-non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-medicines-nsaids?fbclid=IwAR0q57BI6mTki9BvWhDS9VhWYI_MgxzwXQ0gUcdMMlnzdZU4-621Eo3aRBI
Phueanpinit P, Pngwecharak J, Krska J, and Jarernsiri[ornkul N. 2018. Evaluation of community pharmacists’ roles in screening and communication of risks about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Thailand. Prim Health Care Res Dev. 19(6): 598-604.
Risser, A., Donovan, D., and Heintzman, J. (2009, December 15). NSAID prescribing precaution. American Family Physician, 80 (12), 1371-1378.
Russel, R.I. (2001, February). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and gastrointestinal damage —- problems and solutions. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 77 (904), 82-88.
Scheiman, J.M., Fendrick, A.M. (2007, May 12). Summing the risk of NSAID therapy. The Lancet, 369 (9573), 1580-1581.
Stosic, R., Dunagan, F., Palmer, H., Fowler, T., and Adams, I. (2011, March 21). Responsible self-medication: perceived risks and benefits of over-the-counter analgesic use. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 19 (4), 236-245. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7174.2011.00097.x
The painless truth about NSAIDs (2009, January 20). PhilStar Global. https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/health-and-family/2009/01/20/432739/lifestyle
Varassi G, et al., 2020. Ibuprofen Safety at the Golden Anniversary: Are all NSAIDs the same? A Narrative Review. National Library of Medicine. Available at pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Wongrakpanich, S., Wongrakpanich, A., Melhado, A, Rangaswami, J. (2018). A comprehensive Review of Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use in the Elderly. Aging and Disease, 9 (1), 143-150. https://doi.org/10.14336/AD.2017.0306
Zelman, David. 2020. What are NSAIDs for Arthritis. WebMD. Available at www.webmd.com
