Abstract

Objective:
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of over-the-counter (OTC) medication use in the general population of Saudi Arabia.
Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated, self-administered English and Arabic questionnaire that was adapted from a previous study on comparable objectives, distributed electronically through Google Forms. The target population included all citizens living in Saudi Arabia. Participants were recruited via social media platforms. The required sample size was 385, calculated using OpenEpi with a 5% margin of error and 95% confidence interval.
Results:
A total of 1,014 participants were surveyed, predominantly young (62% aged ≤25 years). Females represented 64.8% of the sample. The majority (50.5%) reported using OTC medications in the past month, with analgesics being the most common (86.5%). Preventative medication use was low (20.9%), but 80.5% read medication leaflets. Significant factors associated with OTC use included age (highest in 41–55 years), educational level (higher among university graduates), and current health conditions (56.9% usage among those with conditions).
Conclusion:
The findings highlighted the prevalence of OTC medication use among ED patients in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for enhanced patient education and clinical guidelines to promote safer practices. These insights are expected to inform policies aimed at regulating OTC medication use in emergency settings, ultimately improving patient safety and care outcomes.

Key words: Over-the-counter medications, emergency department, self-medication, Saudi Arabia, public health