Awareness and Behavioral Trends in Over-the-Counter Medication Usage among Adults in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Over-the-counter (OTC) medications are widely accessible drugs that individuals can purchase
without a prescription. While they offer convenience, the ease of access has contributed to a rise in self-
medication practices. Self-medication, as defined by the World Health Organization, involves the use of
medicines to treat self-recognized symptoms or conditions without professional supervision. In Saudi Arabia,
recent studies indicate a growing prevalence of self-medication due to factors such as limited access to healthcare
services, long clinic wait times, and reliance on advice from non-medical sources. Despite the increasing trend,
there remains a substantial gap in knowledge regarding the safe use, risks, and behavioral patterns related to
OTC medication use. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of public awareness regarding
OTC medications and to describe the patterns and purposes of their use among adults residing in Saudi Arabia.
Materials and Methods: This study is an observational cross-sectional survey conducted across various regions
in Saudi Arabia between July and December 2025. Adults aged 18 and older who could read, had internet access,
and consented to participate were included in the study. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered
questionnaire assessing participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding OTC medication. The
questionnaire underwent a pilot test, and scoring was based on Bloom’s cut-off criteria. Data were entered
using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 25. Results: A total of 472 participants
completed the survey (mean age 34.1 ± 12.4 years; 56.4% female; 93.4% Saudi). OTC medicines were the
preferred option for self-medication (36.2%). Most participants demonstrated high knowledge (75.8%), while
attitudes were predominantly low (47.5%) or moderate (46.8%). Self-medication was commonly practiced,
with 7.6% reporting always and 22.9% often self-medicating. Community pharmacies were the main source
of medicines (70.1%), and pharmacists were frequently consulted for dosing (72.3%). Safety practices were
mixed: 48.3% always checked expiry dates, and 35.8% always read package inserts. Medicine sharing was
common (59.8% always/sometimes), and 15.7% reported exceeding recommended doses. Most participants had
moderate misuse risk (93.9%), with 13.6% reporting side effects after self-medication