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HEALTH is the most precious thing we have and we are all interested in staying healthy.

We therefore have to make constant personal efforts to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Nevertheless no one stays free of health problems. There are many forms of minor health problems which are inevitable and have to be accepted as consequences of living. They may be hard to avoid but can be improved and often relieved by self-medication medicines or other self-care measures.

WHAT IS SELF-MEDICATION?

The use of medicines available without prescription is nowadays generally accepted as an important part of healthcare. It is in line with the growing desire of everybody to take more responsibility for their own health. When practised correctly, self-medication can also save expenses for the national healthcare systems.

Medical doctors agree that:

1. Self-medication is the use by patients of non-prescription medicines for symptoms and minor ailments.
2. The patient bears the full responsibility for his own treatment. Therefore it is important to read the leaflet/label carefully.
3. Medical doctors and community pharmacists have a very important role to play in providing assistance, advice and information to the patients about self-medication and the rational use of medicines. Medicines manufacturers are the basic information providers on medicinal products.
4. The period for which you can self-medicate will vary according to circumstances, but should not normally be longer than three to seven days.
5. All medicines including self-medication medicines are made to the same EU standards of safety, quality and efficacy.
6. Self-medication is not appropriate and you should consult a medical doctor in the following situations:
   • your symptoms have persisted
   • your condition worsens or recurs worse than before
   • you have severe pain
   • you have tried one or more medicines without success
   • you experience unwanted effects
   • you think your symptoms are serious
   • you have psychological problems like anxiety(1), unease(2), depression(3), lethargy(4), agitation(5), or hyper-excitability(6).
7. You should pay specific attention if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or when the ailment concerns babies and infants.

• colds and flu
• cough
• sore throat
• recurrent infection of the nose (including hayfever)
• mouth ulcers
• incomplete or difficult digestion (including heartburn)
• infrequent and difficult stools
• vomiting, diarrhoea
• sunburn
• warts
• mild to moderate pains such as headaches and muscular pain
• mild to moderate skin problems: e.g. cuts, insect bites, eczema, etc.

November 1997

1. Painful or fearful uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated event.
2. Disturbed by pain or worry.
3. Mental disorder marked by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration and feeling of dejection.
4. The quality or state of being lazy or indifferent, abnormal drowsiness.
5. Set in violent irregular motion.
6. Excitement: the state of being excited.

This is an information brochure of the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) in cooperation with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), the European Union of General Practitioners (UEMO) and the Association of the European Self-Medication Industry (AESGP).

Supported by the European Commission.