Published Paper Details:

Self-medication is defined as taking medications without the physician's prescription. It is a worldwide public health problem, especially in countries with limited resources. Although self-medication can reduce waiting time and save money, it may carry some potential risks, e.g., antibiotic resistance or inappropriate management with subsequent complication. A limited number of self-medication studies have been conducted in Egypt. Self-medication is a common behavior that could help human infections become resistant to antibiotics. The community should always be made aware of the detrimental impacts of such activities as well as the efforts being made to stop them. Widespread irrational antibiotic use without medical oversight increases the risk of pathogen resistance, missed diagnosis, put off proper treatment, and increased morbidity. The main subjects of this review were allopathic self-medication use, safety, and justification. It would be safe if the users were well informed about the dosage, timing, side effects, and implications of an overdose. Lack of understanding, however, can result in serious side effects such antibiotic resistance, skin issues, hypersensitivity, and allergies.