Introduction: According to the World Health Organization defines self-medication by using OTC (over-the-counter) to treatment diseases or symptoms recognized by yourself without pay a visit to the doctor's office. Increasing availability of OTC medicines cause that Poles are more and more willing to take self-medication, even when they want to smoking cessation. The aim of the study was to investigate what nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation without prescription were chosen by smokers, who wanted without help to smoking cessation.
Materials and methods: The study included 323 people (68.1% were men and 31.9% women). The average age of respondents was 49 +/-11 years. The average pack-years in the study group was 17. The research tool was the author's questionnaire, which was distributed among patients for self- fulfillment. Subjects were divided into three groups: group I up to 10 pack-years (average 7.5 pack-year), group II between-11-20 pack-years (average 15.5 pack-year), group III--between 21-35 pack-year (average 28.5 pack-year).
Results: All subjects, at least once in their lives, bought OTC for self-medication nicotine addiction. Among the respondents in I and II group the most often chose the nicotine replacement therapy in the form of chewing gum, and in III group Cytisine tablets and pills nicotine (p<0.001). One-time purchase of OTC in group I decided 54%, in group II 47.5% and in III group 46.6% of respondents. The number of preparations used in each group was 3.1 in group I; 3.6 in group II, and 3.3 among subjects in the group III (p<0.001). 94% of respondents dissatisfied with the results of treatment ended after 1 month to self-medication. A strong self-motivation to smoking cessation was declared by 78.3% of respondents. On the other hand, Schneider test was positive in only 5% of patients.
Conclusions: Smokers want to own attempt to smoking cessation by using nicotine preparations without a prescription, should be aware that self-assessment of readiness to smoking cessation is not a real preparation to quit smoking addiction. All the more should consult a doctor if subsequent attempts fail.