OTC MEDICATION USE A SURVEY ON THE AWARENESS OF ASSOCIATION WITH OVERUSE OF NSAID

Shipa Sane*, Sakshi Shinde, Mrunal Rajput, Payal Patil, Sakshi Ghuikar, Dhiraj Nagre, Prof. Satish Lodhe, Dr. Shivshankar Mhaske

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, particularly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by athletes, and evaluates the knowledge of health risks from their overuse. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 30 athletes to assess medication practices, psychological stress, recovery patterns, sleep quality, and injury-related factors. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results showed that the most common OTC medication used for pain relief, recovery and performance-related reasons were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics. Use of OTC medication was significantly associated with reduced sleep duration in athletes suggesting a potential association between insufficient recovery and medication use. This study investigates the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, particularly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by athletes, and evaluates the knowledge of health risks from their overuse. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 30 athletes to assess medication practices, psychological stress, recovery patterns, sleep quality, and injury-related factors. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results showed that the most common OTC medication used for pain relief, recovery and performance-related reasons were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics. Use of OTC medication was significantly associated with reduced sleep duration in athletes suggesting a potential association between insufficient recovery and medication use.

Keywords: OTC drugs Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Self-treatment sportsmen Pain management. Sport, Medicine drug education Recovery tactics Risk of injury Pain killers.