SELF-MEDICATION AND ITS HEALTH RISKS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Self-medication is the act of ingesting medication without any guidance from the appropriate professional. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were many cases related to hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, azithromycin, ivermectin, and nitazoxanide, in addition to multivitamins containing zinc, vitamin C and D. The objective of this work was to review self-medication and health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic, through an integrative review of a qualitative nature, researching scientific works related to self-medication and COVID-19. The databases used were: LILACS (Literatura Científica e Técnica da América Latina e Caribe), MEDLINE (Medical  Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online) e SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online). The descriptors applied were: Automedicação/COVID and Self-medication/COVID. Of 558 articles, published between 2019 and 2021, available in full for free, in Portuguese and English, nine were selected according to the research protocol. The studies addressed the practice of self-medication in the period of the pandemic for preventive measures. The pharmaceutical classes addressed in the study were: antimalarials, antiretrovirals, antibacterials, vitamins,  analgesics, and antipyretics. Educational campaigns are necessary since inappropriate use can generate bacterial resistance, overdose intoxications, side effects, and even worsening of an existing disease.