As healthcare professionals often note, many people instinctively reach for over-the-counter (OTC) medications from the medicine cabinet when minor symptoms arise. While convenient, self-medication has clear limits and requires caution.
Self-medicating without a doctor's consultation is increasingly common, particularly among younger adults. A 2018 OpinionWay survey for Medaviz found that 54% of women aged 25-34 regularly self-medicate, compared to just 38% of those aged 50-64. With overburdened physicians, rising healthcare costs, and medical deserts in many areas, taking responsibility for minor health issues makes sense—but only with precautions.
For everyday ailments like a sore throat or backache, consulting a pharmacist is often sufficient, unless you're a hypochondriac. However, to prevent errors, always follow essential safety guidelines.
OTC drugs aren't harmless; they contain potent active ingredients that can cause side effects. "Paracetamol-based analgesics are often wrongly trivialized," notes Professor Jean-Paul Giroud, pharmacologist and author of Self-Medication: The Expert Guide (ed. La Martinière). "Many products contain it under different names, risking overdose from accumulation."
Don't combine a painkiller with a cold remedy without pharmacist advice. Similarly, mixing a tranquilizer with an antihistamine can dangerously amplify sedation—especially if driving. Conversely, one self-medication drug might counteract another, like an antacid neutralizing an antibiotic. Always list all your medications when buying OTC products at the pharmacy.
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A runny nose or simple headache from a cold, sleep deprivation, or last night's excess can often be managed at home if the cause is clear. "But if headache comes with acute diarrhea, seek medical advice," warns Professor Giroud. "The same applies for vomiting or stiff neck."
In principle, self-medication is suitable only for healthy adults. Those with chronic conditions (diabetes, kidney/liver issues, inflammatory bowel disease) should avoid it to prevent contraindications. "It's also contraindicated for pregnant/breastfeeding women and infants," adds Professor Giroud.
Sold without prescription, analgesics interrupt pain signals. They fall into two main categories: paracetamol (Doliprane®, Dafalgan®, Efferalgan®...) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil®, Nurofen®...) and aspirin.
To stay safe, read the instructions carefully—something too few people do. "Strictly follow the dosage," emphasizes Professor Giroud.
Paracetamol poses lower risk but requires limits: no more than 5 consecutive days, avoid with alcohol (not for hangovers). Overdose can cause severe liver failure—the top cause of liver transplants in France. Adults: max 4g/day, spaced 4 hours apart (6 hours for children).
Ibuprofen: 200mg or 400mg every 4-6 hours for adults (60mg/kg/day for children), based on pain severity. Aspirin: 500mg or 1g per dose (1-2 x 500mg tablets or 1 x 1000mg), repeatable after 4 hours, max 3g/day (6 x 500mg or 3 x 1000mg).
Consult a doctor before NSAIDs if you have heart, liver, kidney disease, or hypertension. They're contraindicated after the 6th month of pregnancy, or with history of ulcers, GI bleeding, or allergies/asthma triggered by NSAIDs.
In a 2019 press release, France's ANSM warned of ibuprofen (Advil®, Nurofen®, Upfen®...) and ketoprofen (Profenid®, Toprec®, Ketum®...) risks in self-medication. These NSAIDs can worsen infections (skin, respiratory, neurological, ENT) from Streptococcus or Pneumococcus—even after 2-3 days, including with antibiotics. Cases arose from fever, bites, coughs, sore throats, etc., sometimes leading to hospitalization, sequelae, or death. They're also linked to severe skin issues (necrotizing fasciitis) in chickenpox—avoid them.
Lost the insert? Find it at www.base-donnees-publique.medicaments.gouv.fr.
If symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment, see a doctor promptly.
*OpinionWay survey for Medaviz, June 2018
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