• Srujan Vineet Gannavarapu
• Prakash Babu Phanithi
• Varalakshmi Manchana

Abstract: Background: Adolescence is a phase of rapid growth and development during which physical, physiological and behavioural changes occur. Young and growing children have poor knowledge and lack awareness about the ill health affecting them. OTC use of drugs for minor ailments as well as getting used to harmful dosages and drugs is growing health challenge to the society. The present study aims to understand the use of OTC in adolescent girls and analyse the factors that may influence the use of OTC Medication. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 3 retail pharmacies in Hyderabad, Telangana. The common complaints for which the adolescent girls visited the pharmacies were recorded. Adolescents were interviewed to know the common reasons and the knowledge related to adverse effects of OTC. During this study period (one month), adolescent girls (n=168) visited pharmacies without prescription. Results: Most commonly dispensed OTC drugs were analgesics (45.2%), antipyretics (19%), antihistamines (10.1%), Oral Contraceptive pills (8.33%), antibiotics (7.15%), antacids (4.8%), and others (5.36%). The commonly dispensed antibiotics were Cifran (500mg) for dental infection and Amoxicillin (500mg) for upper respiratory tract infection and Bactrim DS for UTIs. The most common complaint for the use of OTC drugs was pain (33.92%), fever (19%), dysmenorrhea (11.3%), UTI (8.9%) and others (26.79%). Only 7% of adolescents agreed that they were aware of the harmful effects of drugs. Conclusion: The use of OTC drugs is considerably high in young girls and youth and pharmacists need to be educated regarding rationale use/dispensing of drugs.

Over the counter drugs, Awareness, Adolescents, Health education

"A Study to Evaluate the Awareness on OTC Health Education among Young Female Adolescents", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 12, page no.587-592, December-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1812385.pdf

"A Study to Evaluate the Awareness on OTC Health Education among Young Female Adolescents", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 12, page no. pp587-592, December-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1812385.pdf