6 Reasons Why Self-Medication is Risky to Your Health
Self-medication – the act of using drugs or other remedies without professional medical advice – is a prevalent habit of many Filipinos. It’s common to hear people say, “Sayang ang pera sa check-up.” (Getting a check-up is a waste of money.)
Instead of visiting the doctor, people often go to the pharmacy, search online, or ask family or friends about medicines they took for similar symptoms. “Anong nireseta sa iyo dati?” (What was prescribed to you before?) has become a familiar question. Before you know it, they are taking the same medicines without knowing if it’s right for them.
While self-medication may seem convenient and practical, it can be dangerous and cause more harm than good. VidaCure Pharmacy reminds everyone to prioritize their health by getting a proper check-up from a licensed doctor. Only a medical professional can determine the correct medicine and dosage for your needs. This helps prevent serious complications and ensures you’re taking medicines safely and effectively.
Dangers of Self-Medication
Misdiagnosis and Delaying Proper Treatment
When you treat your condition based on a “haka-haka” (guess), internet search, or a friend’s advice, you are only treating a symptom and not the root cause. Without proper medical evaluation, you might mistake one illness for another. Treating the wrong condition can delay correct diagnosis and allow the underlying illness to worsen.
For progressive diseases such as severe bacterial infection or cancer, every day counts. Self-medicating for a week or two based on a “kutob” (gut feeling) that it’s “just a mild flu” can give a serious infection time to advance, making it harder and more expensive to treat.
Wrong dosage
According to the Pharmaceutical Press, licensed physicians not only prescribe medicines; they also determine the appropriate dosage and duration based on factors like weight, age, and medical history. Self-medicating can lead to underdosing to overdosing.
For instance, antibiotic underdosing can kill only the weakest bacteria and enable stronger ones to survive and multiply. This leads to the rise of a “superbug” that the antibiotic can no longer fight effectively, causing antibiotic resistance.Taking too much medicine — even something as common as Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) or Ibuprofen — can be dangerous. Overdosing on pain relievers can seriously harm your liver or kidneys. That’s why the Department of Health (DOH) reminds everyone to always check with a doctor before taking any medicine or supplement.
Drug Interactions
Skipping a proper medical check-up can put you at risk for harmful drug interactions. One medicine might weaken the effect of another, making your treatment less effective. There’s also another possibility that it might intensify the effects, leading to serious side effects or complications. For this reason, VidaCure stresses the importance of consulting a doctor before combining or starting any new medication.
Allergic Reactions and Side Effects
Medicines don’t affect everyone the same way. A drug that was safe for your friend might be harmful to you. Self-medicating can result in allergic reactions, stomach irritation, dizziness, or more serious complications. In a worst-case scenario, a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) can be life-threatening.
Dependency or Addiction
Many people turn to over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to ease common symptoms and feel better without seeing a doctor. However, a study revealed that this habit can lead to medicine abuse.
Frequent use of certain medicines like painkillers, sleeping pills, or cough syrups can cause the body to build tolerance over time. When this happens, higher doses may be needed to achieve the same effect, increasing the risk of dependency or addiction.
False Sense of Security
Feeling better after self-medicating can create the illusion of recovery, causing people to skip necessary medical consultations. As a result, underlying health problems may go unnoticed and worsen over time.
Conclusion
Self-medication seems like a quick and convenient fix to common health issues, but the risks outweigh the temporary relief that it brings. Taking medicines without proper medical guidance can lead to misdiagnosis, wrong dosage, and drug reactions. There’s also a risk of adverse side effects, OTC medicine abuse, and getting a false sense of security.