Written by Tanisha Mishra
In today’s fast-paced and digitally connected world, self-medication is becoming alarmingly common—particularly among the younger generation. With over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, such as painkillers and antibiotics, readily available, online pharmacies just a click away, and vast amounts of health information circulating online, many individuals are skipping medical consultations and relying on self-diagnosis to treat symptoms.
While this may seem like a time-saving and cost-effective approach, health experts are raising serious concerns about the potentially irreversible consequences of unsupervised drug use.
“Every Indian Thinks They’re a Doctor”
Dr Ashok Tiwari, a respected general medicine expert in India, highlights the alarming scale of the trend. “Every Indian thinks they are a doctor. They go to a pharmacy, buy medicine over the counter, and only come to us when it doesn’t work—or worse, causes side effects,” says Dr Tiwari.
According to Dr Tiwari, nearly 60% of Indian youth engage in self-medication, particularly with painkillers, antibiotics, and sleep aids. The gravest danger, he says, lies in improper dosing. Dr Tiwari explains, “The biggest danger is not taking drugs in the proper dose. If taken in excess, it can cause poisoning and severe side effects. If taken in lesser doses, it may not be effective, and the disease worsens over time.”
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Real Health Risks from Self-Medication
Some of the serious health complications Dr. Tiwari has observed include:
- Kidney and heart failure from prolonged painkiller usage
- Gastrointestinal bleeding due to overuse of NSAIDs
- Antibiotic resistance, making infections harder to treat
- Hypoglycemic coma caused by improper use of diabetes medication
- Increased stroke risk triggered by uncontrolled high blood pressure
Dr Tiwari’s advice is unequivocal. “Self-medication only delays proper treatment and aggravates the disease. Always consult a qualified doctor.”
Misuse of Steroids and Skin Creams: A Growing Concern
ENT specialist Dr Syadmistahur Rahman shares similar concerns, particularly about dermatological misuse. “People think they can just go to a medical shop and buy whatever lotion or ointment they need, but they don’t realize the dangers,” says Dr Rahman.
He warns against the misuse of steroid-based creams, which are often applied without proper knowledge. “Steroid ointments can thin the skin and worsen infections. I’ve seen patients in miserable conditions just because they over-applied a cream.”
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Dr Rahman also cautions against trusting pharmacy staff with medical advice. “The person at the counter is not a doctor. They don’t know your condition or how much dosage you require.”
A Public Health Crisis in the Making
The normalization of self-medication is fast becoming a public health emergency. Though driven by factors like convenience, affordability, and online access, this trend puts countless people at risk of organ damage, delayed treatment, and irreversible side effects.
Experts agree that only qualified medical professionals can properly diagnose and treat health conditions.
