Background: Adolescents are a susceptible population in terms of medication use. They are not only inclined to abuse illegal substances but are also prone to nonmedical medication use, which exposes them to a significant risk of various adverse drug reactions (ADR).
Objective: This research aims to assess medication use among adolescents in Sarajevo Canton.
Methods: This paper features information about the most frequently used medications, reasons for their use, sources of their procurement, ADR and concurrent use with other medications and/or alcohol. To obtain this data, a questionnaire with open- and close-ended questions was created. The survey was conducted online and 444 participants were included.
Results: Medications were used by 90.1% of adolescents. The most commonly used medications were non-opioid analgesics, antibiotics, dietary supplements, antihistamines and benzodiazepines. Mild to moderate pain was the most frequent reason for medication use. Participants were at risk of ADR, drug-drug interactions (DDI), and drug-alcohol interactions.
Conclusion: It is up to healthcare workers, especially pharmacists, to educate and guide adolescent patients on rational medication use and inform them about potential dangers following the use of these medications.
Keywords: adolescents; medication use; prevalence.
© 2023 Vanja Piljak, Selma Skrbo, Naida Omerovic, Anela Hadzifejzovic Trnka, Dina Lagumdzija, Nermina Ziga Smajic.