{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T01:12:30Z","timestamp":1760058750936,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":24,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,25]],"date-time":"2025-04-25T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1745539200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia and Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac","award":["451-03-137\/2025-03\/200111"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["451-03-137\/2025-03\/200111"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Medicina"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background and Objectives: Self-medication includes the use of drugs or herbal preparations based on one\u2019s own discretion or the recommendation of another person, often a family member, friend, neighbor, or even a pharmacist, without prior examination and consultation with a doctor. The goal of this study was to determine respondents\u2019 reasons for using self-medication, determine the frequency of self-medication, and analyze differences in respondents\u2019 attitudes about self-medication in relation to several factors. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted as a cross-sectional observational study. The respondents were patients seeking medical examination at the Health Center in Jagodina who had used over-the-counter medications during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 175 respondents participated in the study. The study design provided answers to questions about the respondents\u2019 self-medication habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: More than half of the respondents (53.71%) bought medicines without a prescription, with most cases involving analgesics (52.83%). Almost three-quarters of the respondents were completely vaccinated (74.29%) against COVID-19. Additionally, 39.62% of participants used vitamins as part of their self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the vitamins, respondents most commonly used a combination of vitamins C and D (20.75%), vitamin D (5.66%), vitamin C (5.66%), and vitamin A (1.89%). Conclusions: Self-medication for the treatment of coronavirus is more often used by younger respondents, who are not yet married, do not have their own income, and rarely visit a doctor. As for supplements, respondents used zinc, and as for vitamins, respondents mostly used a combination of vitamins C and D.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina61050803","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,4]],"date-time":"2025-05-04T20:42:37Z","timestamp":1746391357000},"page":"803","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Analysis of the Use of Over-the-Counter Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"61","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8150-0730","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ivan","family":"Vukosavljevi\u0107","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Nata\u0161a","family":"Djori\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5000-3774","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ivana","family":"Vukosavljevi\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Jasmina","family":"Milovanovi\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Nata\u0161a","family":"Zdravkovi\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"},{"name":"Clinic of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Serbia University Clinical Center of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"},{"name":"Center for Research on Harmful Effects of Biological and Chemical Hazards, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Katarina","family":"Djordjevi\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Neboj\u0161a","family":"Zdravkovi\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Research on Harmful Effects of Biological and Chemical Hazards, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"},{"name":"Department of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Marina","family":"Kosti\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"},{"name":"Center for Research on Harmful Effects of Biological and Chemical Hazards, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Ana","family":"Barjaktarevi\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Snezana","family":"Cupara","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8407-1521","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ivan","family":"\u010cekerevac","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"},{"name":"Center for Research on Harmful Effects of Biological and Chemical Hazards, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Nevena","family":"Vasovi\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Hotel Management and Tourism, University of Kragujevac, 36210 Vrnja\u010dka Banja, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1895-7519","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Aleksandra","family":"Tomi\u0107 Lu\u010di\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"},{"name":"Clinic for Rheumatology and Allergology, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Marija","family":"\u0160orak","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"},{"name":"Department of Biomedically Assisted Fertilization, Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1573-1191","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nikola","family":"Mirkovi\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Vascular Surgery Center, University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"},{"name":"Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Science, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Olivera","family":"Kosti\u0107","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Center for Research on Harmful Effects of Biological and Chemical Hazards, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"},{"name":"Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,25]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"305","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cden.2016.12.003","article-title":"Oral Bacterial Infections: Diagnosis and Management","volume":"61","author":"Nicholson","year":"2017","journal-title":"Dent. Clin. N. Am."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"808","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sjbs.2017.01.004","article-title":"Self-medication and antibiotic resistance: Crisis, current challenges, and prevention","volume":"24","author":"Rather","year":"2017","journal-title":"Saudi. J. Biol. Sci."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Arias, F., Izquierdo-Condoy, J.S., Naranjo-Lara, P., Alarc\u00f3n, V., Bonilla, P., Erazo, E., Carrington, S.J., and Ortiz-Prado, E. (2022). A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Self-Medication Patterns during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ecuador. Medicina, 58.","DOI":"10.3390\/medicina58111678"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"275","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pharma.2020.10.012","article-title":"Self-medication practice with analgesics (NSAIDs and acetaminophen), and antibiotics among nursing undergraduates in University College Farasan Campus, Jazan University, KSA","volume":"79","author":"Faqihi","year":"2021","journal-title":"Ann. Pharm. Fr."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.1186\/s40360-018-0205-6","article-title":"Self-medication practice and associated factors among adult household members in Meket district, Northeast Ethiopia","volume":"19","author":"Kassie","year":"2018","journal-title":"BMC Pharmacol. Toxicol."},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"1","article-title":"Abuse of over-the-counter medicines: A pharmacist\u2019s perspective","volume":"6","author":"Sansgiry","year":"2016","journal-title":"Integr. Pharm. Res. Pract."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"251","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sapharm.2012.05.001","article-title":"Over-the-counter prescribing and pharmacists\u2019 adoption of new medicines: Diffusion of innovations","volume":"9","author":"Paudyal","year":"2013","journal-title":"Res. Social. Adm. Pharm."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"20420986221094141","DOI":"10.1177\/20420986221094141","article-title":"Drug safety of frequently used drugs and substances for self-medication in COVID-19","volume":"13","year":"2022","journal-title":"Ther. Adv. Drug. Saf."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Quincho-Lopez, A., Benites-Ibarra, C.A., Hilario-Gomez, M.M., Quijano-Escate, R., and Taype-Rondan, A. (2021). Self-medication practices to prevent or manage COVID-19: A systematic review. PLoS ONE, 16.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0259317"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.1007\/s13337-020-00650-7","article-title":"Vaccines and drugs under clinical trials for prevention and treatment of COVID-19","volume":"32","author":"Yadav","year":"2021","journal-title":"Virusdisease"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"55","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chest.2020.03.040","article-title":"Safety of Ibuprofen in Patients with COVID-19: Causal or Confounded?","volume":"158","author":"Sodhi","year":"2020","journal-title":"Chest"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jsps.2020.12.001","article-title":"Self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic among the adult population in Peru: A cross-sectional survey","volume":"29","author":"Manrique","year":"2021","journal-title":"Saudi. Pharm. J."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"RECOVERY Collaborative Group, Horby, P., Mafham, M., Linsell, L., Bell, J.L., Staplin, N., Emberson, J.R., Wiselka, M., Ustianowski, A., and Elmahi, E. (2020). Effect of Hydroxychloroquine in Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19. N. Engl. J. Med., 383, 2030\u20132040.","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa2022926"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1426","DOI":"10.1001\/jama.2021.3071","article-title":"Effect of Ivermectin on Time to Resolution of Symptoms Among Adults with Mild COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial","volume":"325","author":"Hurtado","year":"2021","journal-title":"JAMA"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104482","DOI":"10.1016\/j.amsu.2022.104482","article-title":"The scenario of self-medication practices during the COVID-19 pandemic; a systematic review","volume":"82","author":"Shrestha","year":"2022","journal-title":"Ann. Med. Surg."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yasmin, F., Asghar, M.S., Naeem, U., Najeeb, H., Nauman, H., Ahsan, M.N., and Khattak, A.K. (2022). Self-Medication Practices in Medical Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Front. Public Health, 10.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2022.803937"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Islam, M.S., Ferdous, M.Z., Islam, U.S., Mosaddek, A.S.M., Potenza, M.N., and Pardhan, S. (2021). Treatment, Persistent Symptoms, and Depression in People Infected with COVID-19 in Bangladesh. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph18041453"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zheng, Y., Liu, J., Tang, P.K., Hu, H., and Ung, C.O.L. (2023). A systematic review of self-medication practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for pharmacy practice in supporting public health measures. Front. Public Health, 11.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2023.1184882"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Kazemioula, G., Golestani, S., Alavi, S.M.A., Taheri, F., Gheshlagh, R.G., and Lotfalizadeh, M.H. (2022). Prevalence of self-medication during COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Public Health, 10.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2022.1041695"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"46","DOI":"10.18683\/germs.2022.1305","article-title":"Self-medication in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: A cross-sectional study in northern Peru","volume":"12","year":"2022","journal-title":"Germs"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"20420986221072376","DOI":"10.1177\/20420986221072376","article-title":"Self-medication and the \u2018infodemic\u2019 during mandatory preventive isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic","volume":"13","year":"2022","journal-title":"Ther. Adv. Drug. Saf."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2247","DOI":"10.2147\/PPA.S370954","article-title":"Behavioural Response to Self-Medication Practice Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic in Western Uganda","volume":"16","author":"Dare","year":"2022","journal-title":"Patient. Prefer. Adherence"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zheng, Y., Tang, P.K., Hu, H., and Ung, C.O.L. (2024). Patterns of self-medication and intention to seek pharmacist guidance among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in Macao: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 24.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-19453-2"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"122","DOI":"10.2174\/1574886317666220428133813","article-title":"Self-medication during the Era of COVID-19; Potential Implications for Drug Policy Makers and Pharmacovigilance","volume":"18","author":"Mallhi","year":"2023","journal-title":"Curr. Drug. Saf."}],"container-title":["Medicina"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1648-9144\/61\/5\/803\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T17:21:56Z","timestamp":1760030516000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1648-9144\/61\/5\/803"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,25]]},"references-count":24,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,5]]}},"alternative-id":["medicina61050803"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/medicina61050803","relation":{},"ISSN":["1648-9144"],"issn-type":[{"type":"electronic","value":"1648-9144"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,25]]}}}