Keywords
COVID-19
Drug misuse
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Abstract
Objective: To investigate current trends and implications of self-medication during the Covid-19 pandemic, analyzing medication usage patterns. Methods: Integrative review of the past 05 years, using the keywords "Self-medication" and "Covid" in PubMed. Results: The initial search yielded 133 studies, of which 17 were deemed eligible after applying exclusion criteria. This review revealed the widespread prevalence of self-medication, driven by anxiety, fear, and panic associated with the pandemic, leading to a global increase in self-medication rates, including among healthcare professionals. The population turned to various sources for obtaining medication, resulting in the consumption of different classes of drugs for symptomatic relief, often disregarding the potential risks associated with irrational medication use. Final considerations: Thus, it is necessary for authorities to take measures to discourage self-medication. Strategies such as raising awareness about the risks associated with self-medication and encouraging the population to seek healthcare services for proper guidance and effective treatment are highlighted.
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