ArticleCurrent neuropharmacology2023
Knowledge and Use of Over-the-counter Drugs in Italy: An Exploratory Survey-based Study in the General Population.
Article in Current neuropharmacology, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 8 citations in OpenAlex.
- Over-the-counter Psychosis: A Systematic Review of the Misuse of Antihistamines, Cough Medicines, and Decongestants and the Risk of Developing Psychosis.Current neuropharmacology · 2025Pooled it
- Knowledge, attitudes, and perception toward new psychoactive substances among Saudi university students: a cross-sectional study.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2026Article
- Placebo effects in a RCT assessing 30 days of low dose Cannabidiol (CBD) treatment for psychological distress in stressed students at risk for depression.Journal of cannabis research · 2025Article
- Prevalence of Over-the-Counter Drug Abuse and Associated Psychosocial Factors Among High School Students: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan.Neuropsychopharmacology reports · 2025Article
- Operational Definitions of Polypharmacy and Their Association with All-Cause Hospitalization Risk: A Conceptual Framework Using Administrative Databases.Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- The self-medication behaviors of residents and the factors related to the consideration of drug efficacy and safety-A cross-sectional study in China.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2023Article
- Editorial: Prescribing psychotropics: Misuse, abuse, dependence, withdrawal and addiction, Volume II.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2022Article
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Authors and funding
12 authors at 5 institutions in 4 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDuring the past decade, the misuse of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines has become a global public health concern, especially among young people. In this study, we aimed to explore the OTC consumption and related misuse in Italy and identify the demographic characteristics of people/individuals involved in this phenomenon, understanding eventual risk factors.
methodsThe study consisted of an anonymous online survey distributed by direct contact and via the Internet between June-November 2021 to the general population living in Italy. Descriptive statistics were reported, and binary regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for lifetime misuse of OTC. The University of Hertfordshire approved the study (aLMS/SF/UH/02951).
resultsThe final sample size was composed of 717 respondents. The sample was mainly represented by female (69.3%) students (39.9%) in the 20-25 years age group (30.0%). Based on the survey responses, study participants were divided into two groups according to the presence/absence of OTC abuse/misuse (127 versus 590), which were compared for possible predictors of OTC diversion. Multivariate regression showed that OTC abuse/misuse was associated with the knowledge of the effects of OTC [odds ratio/OR = 2.711, 95%Confidence Interval/CI 1.794-4.097, p <0.001]. On the contrary, the educational level appeared to be a protective factor [OR = 0.695, 95%CI 0.58-0.94, p = 0.016].
conclusionAlthough, according to our data, the phenomenon of OTC abuse appeared to be limited, increasing attention is needed because of possible underestimation and high-risk outcomes. Preventive strategies, including simplified access to information, may play a key role in limiting OTC misuse.
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