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Souza KBDE, Wyse EL, Nasre-Nasser RG, Veber AP, Muccillo-Baisch AL, Arbo BD, Silva Júnior FMRDA, Hort MA. Prevalence and predictors of self-medication to prevent or treat COVID-19 among undergraduate students in Southern Brazil. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2024; 96:e20230114. [PMID: 38808811 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202420230114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Self-medication (SM) is the practice of consuming medicines without a prescription. Despite being a potentially dangerous action, SM is practiced globally and has been highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate SM for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 and the factors associated with this practice among undergraduate students in Southern Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and November 2020 using an electronic questionnaire to collect information about the practice of SM and the associated sociodemographic characteristics, health perception, and lifestyle. We collected 1,553 responses and identified a prevalence of 14.9% for SM. The risk factors for SM were earning between BRL 2,101 and BRL 5,250, studying at a public university, and studying a distance undergraduate course. The protective factors were age above 30 years, female sex, working or participating in internships, occasionally recommending their own medications to other people, and worsening health during the pandemic. The main drugs or products used were ivermectin, vitamins C and D, tea, azithromycin, zinc, and propolis. Our data could help in the development of health education measures to reduce SM among undergraduate students and guide the population regarding the risks of this practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoline B DE Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Visconde de Paranaguá, 102, 96203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Eduarda L Wyse
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Campus Carreiros, Avenida Itália, s/n, Km 8, 96203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Raif Gregorio Nasre-Nasser
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas (Endocrinologia), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Rua Ramiro Barcellos, 2400, 2º andar, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Veber
- Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (UEPG), Setor de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Avenida Carlos Cavalcanti, 4748, 84030-900 Ponta Grossa, PR, Brazil
| | - Ana Luiza Muccillo-Baisch
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Visconde de Paranaguá, 102, 96203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Campus Carreiros, Avenida Itália, s/n, Km 8, 96203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruno D Arbo
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Instituto de Ciências Básicas e da Saúde, Departamento de Farmacologia, Rua Ramiro Barcellos, 2600, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Flávio Manoel R DA Silva Júnior
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Visconde de Paranaguá, 102, 96203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Campus Carreiros, Avenida Itália, s/n, Km 8, 96203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariana A Hort
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Faculdade de Medicina, Rua Visconde de Paranaguá, 102, 96203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Campus Carreiros, Avenida Itália, s/n, Km 8, 96203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
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Silva NBLD, Rocha RPDS, Andrade ACDS, Terças-Trettel ACP, Muraro AP. Prevalence of Ivermectin use to prevent COVID-19 during the pandemic in Mato Grosso: cross-sectional home-based study. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE EPIDEMIOLOGIA 2023; 26:e230026. [PMID: 37162068 PMCID: PMC10168631 DOI: 10.1590/1980-549720230026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the use of ivermectin as COVID-19 prevention method by the population of Mato Grosso in 2020. METHODS This is a home-based survey, carried out between September and October 2020, in 10 pole cities of the socioeconomic regions of State. The use of ivermectin was evaluated through the question: "Did you take ivermectin to prevent COVID-19?". Sociodemographic variables (sex, age group, education, family income), current work situation, being benefitted by government financial programs, as well as symptoms, seroprevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, and previous diagnosis of COVID-19 were evaluated. Prevalence and their associations were estimated using the chi-square test. RESULTS 4.206 individuals were evaluated for prevalence of ivermectin use; 58.3% of the individuals responded positively, this rate being higher in the municipalities of the western region of the state (66.6%). There was no significant difference between sexes, but the prevalence was higher among people aged 50-59 years (69.7%), who were white (66.5%), with complete higher education or more (68.8%) and higher family income (≥3 minimum wages-64.2%). The use of this drug was even higher among participants who considered their knowledge of the disease good or very good (65.0%), who reported having symptoms of COVID-19 (75.3%), and who had been previously diagnosed with the disease (91.2%). CONCLUSION There was a high prevalence of use of ivermectin as a method to prevent covid-19 by the population of Mato Grosso, indicating the need for strategies to inform the population about the risks of off-label use of drugs and to combat the advertising of drugs that are ineffective against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ana Cláudia Pereira Terças-Trettel
- Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso - Tangará da Serra (MT), Brazil
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Graduate Program in Collective Health - Cuiabá (MT), Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Muraro
- Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Institute for Collective Health - Cuiabá (MT), Brazil
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Nino-Orrego MJ, Baracaldo-Santamaría D, Patricia Ortiz C, Zuluaga HP, Cruz-Becerra SA, Soler F, Pérez-Acosta AM, Delgado DR, Calderon-Ospina CA. Prescription for COVID-19 by non-medical professionals during the pandemic in Colombia: a cross-sectional study. Ther Adv Drug Saf 2022; 13:20420986221101964. [PMID: 35646306 PMCID: PMC9136451 DOI: 10.1177/20420986221101964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the behavior of
self-medication (SM). Given the massive release of misleading information
during the pandemic, some pharmacies recommend drugs such as ivermectin,
azithromycin, and hydroxychloroquine that are not useful for preventing or
treating COVID-19 and could expose patients to unnecessary adverse drug
reactions (ADRs), drug-drug interactions (DDIs), disease masking, and
antibiotic resistance. Rationale: SM with drugs advertised for COVID-19 can have consequences, and people
should be aware of approved uses, potential contraindications, and ADRs.
Thus, the aim of this study was to know the drug therapies including natural
products and homeopathic drugs offered by Colombian pharmaceutical
establishments for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, as well as the
information provided on the safe use of the product. Methods: An observational, cross-sectional mystery shopping study was carried out to
determine the pharmaceutical alternatives for the management of COVID-19
offered by pharmaceutical establishments (drugstores, pharmacies,
homeopathic pharmacies, and nutritional supplements stores) in Colombia, and
information related to the safe use of the product. The study included 482
pharmaceutical establishments from 16 Colombian departments. Data collection
was done through telephone calls to each of the establishments following an
interview protocol pretending to be a patient who presents symptoms related
to COVID-19. Results: About 57.3% (276) of the establishments recommended a product for the
treatment of COVID-19 infection, 66.6% (321) asked whether the caller had
COVID-19 symptoms and what they are, and 44.2% (213) suggested taking a
COVID-19 test. Of 59 drugs suggested by pharmacies, the most recommended
were azithromycin, ivermectin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and ASA (aspirin).
From the establishments that recommended a product, dosage was indicated in
85.5% (236) of the pharmaceutical establishments and 14.5% (40) of the
establishments reported the most common adverse effects of this substance.
About 9.4% (26) of the establishments reported possible interactions of the
recommended drugs and substances with food, beverages, or
supplements.Conclusion: Pharmaceutical establishments in
Colombia seem to have significantly contributed to self-medication for
COVID-19 in Colombia during the pandemic. This behavior is inappropriate,
since the mild forms of the disease do not have a specific treatment. Plain Language Summary Self-medication induced by pharmaceutical establishments in Colombia
during the COVID-19 pandemic Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the
behavior of self-medication (SM). Given the massive release of misleading
information during the pandemic, some pharmacies recommend drugs such as
ivermectin, azithromycin, hydroxychloroquine among others, which are not
useful for preventing or treating COVID-19 and could expose patients to
unnecessary side effects and interactions with other medications. People
should be aware of the approved and non-approved uses, and potential side
effects of these drugs. Rationale: The aim of this study was to
know the drugs, including natural products and homeopathic drugs, offered by
Colombian pharmaceutical establishments for the prevention and treatment of
COVID-19, as well as the information provided on the safe use of the
product. Methods: The study was done using the mystery shopping
method, collecting data through telephone calls to each of the
establishments by a trained individual pretending to be a patient with
COVID-19 symptoms. The study included 482 pharmaceutical establishments from
16 Colombian departments. Results: Of 59 drugs suggested by
pharmacies, the most recommended were azithromycin, ivermectin,
acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. The recommended dose was indicated in
85.5% (236) of the pharmaceutical establishments, and 14.5% (40) of them
reported the most common adverse effects of the recommended product. About
9.4% (26) of the establishments reported possible interactions of the
recommended drugs and substances with food, beverages, or supplements.
Conclusion: The majority of the pharmaceutical
establishments included in the study promoted inadequate self-medication for
COVID-19 in Colombia during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jose Nino-Orrego
- Center for Research in Genetics and Genomics (CIGGUR), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Daniela Baracaldo-Santamaría
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Patricia Ortiz
- Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios-UNIMINUTO, Programa de Administración en Salud Ocupacional, Grupo de Investigación en Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo, Neiva, Colombia
| | | | | | - Franklin Soler
- Observatory of Self-Medication Behavior, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Andrés M. Pérez-Acosta
- Observatory of Self-Medication Behavior, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Daniel Ricardo Delgado
- Grupo de Investigación en Dinámicas Sociales, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Campus Neiva, Neiva, Colombia
| | - Carlos-Alberto Calderon-Ospina
- Center for Research in Genetics and Genomics (CIGGUR), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, 111221 Bogotá, Colombia. Pharmacology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
- Observatory of Self-Medication Behavior, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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Baracaldo-Santamaría D, Pabón-Londoño S, Rojas-Rodriguez LC. Drug safety of frequently used drugs and substances for self-medication in COVID-19. Ther Adv Drug Saf 2022; 13:20420986221094141. [PMID: 35493401 PMCID: PMC9039440 DOI: 10.1177/20420986221094141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the behavior of self-medication has increased. The dissemination of misleading information regarding the efficacy of certain drugs or substances for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 has been the major contributing factor for this phenomenon. Alongside with the increase in self-medication behavior, the inherent risks to this act such as drug-drug interactions, adverse events, drug toxicity, and masking of symptoms have also increased. Self-medication in the context of COVID-19 has led to drug misuse leading in some cases to the development of fatal adverse drug reactions. It is important that during this ongoing pandemic drugs with potential clinical efficacy against COVID-19 are adequately analyzed regarding their efficacy, safety, and monitoring. The aim of this review is to describe the available evidence regarding the efficacy, safety, and monitoring of the drugs and substances that have been shown to be frequently used for self-medication in patients with COVID-19 (hydroxychloroquine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ivermectin, azithromycin, vitamins, aspirin, and chlorine dioxide) to adequately characterize their risks, safe use, monitoring strategies, and to reinforce the concept that these substances should not be used for self-medication and require a medical prescription. Plain Language Summary Drug safety of frequently used drugs and substances for self-medication in COVID-19 Dissemination of information about potential COVID-19 treatments has led individuals to self-medicate and expose themselves to risks such as drug-drug interactions, side effects, antibiotic resistance, and misdiagnosis. There is a need to review the medical literature to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the drugs and substances commonly used by the population for the treatment and prevention of SARS CoV-2 infection. In this review, we included drugs that are frequently used for self-medication and commonly advertised such as ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, chlorine dioxide, azithromycin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, among others. A brief introduction of the drug and its mechanism of action, followed by a summary of the efficacy in COVID-19 and safety, will be described for each drug in order to promote their responsible use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Baracaldo-Santamaría
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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Ameratunga R, Woon ST, Lea E, Steele R, Lehnert K, Leung E, Brooks AES. The (apparent) antibody paradox in COVID-19. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2022; 18:335-345. [PMID: 35184669 PMCID: PMC8935454 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2022.2044797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Ameratunga
- Department of Clinical immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton 1010, Auckland New Zealand
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton 1010, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland
| | - See-Tarn Woon
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton 1010, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland
| | - Edward Lea
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton 1010, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard Steele
- Department of Virology and Immunology, Auckland Hospital, Park Rd, Grafton 1010, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Klaus Lehnert
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland
| | - Euphemia Leung
- Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Anna E. S. Brooks
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland
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