Learn about self-medication, when it can be safely done and when to seek medical help

What is Self-Medication?

Self-Medication is the safe and responsible selection and use of medicines by a person to treat self-recognised illnesses or symptoms.

What Kind of Illnesses Can Be Self-Medicated?

Several minor illnesses may be treated with minimal supervision from a healthcare professional. These are usually common illnesses with little or no risk of permanent injury.

The following is a list of common illnesses which can be treated with self-medication. 

However, if your symptoms persist after 1-2 weeks or worsen, stop self-medicating and consult a doctor:

• Allergic Rhinitis
• Allergic Conjunctivitis
• Acne
• Acne Scars
• Athlete's Foot
• Blisters
• Blocked nose
• Cold sores
• Common cold
• Constipation
• Corns on feet
• Cough
• Dandruff
• Diarrhoea
• Dry eyes
• Ear wax
• Eczema
• Fever
• Fungal Nail Infection
• GERD (acid reflux)
• Male/Female-pattern hair loss
• Headache
• Malaria prevention
• Migraine
• Minor wounds 
• Mountain Sickness
• Motion sickness
• Smoking cessation
• Sun Protection
• Sore Throat
• Stye
• Ulcers (oral)
• Vaginal thrush
• Weight management
• Worm Infestation

For further information on how to manage these minor illnesses, please refer to their respective leaflets on the HealthHub website.

When Should I Not Self-Medicate?

Self-medication should only be practised for minor illnesses. Cases where you should not self-medicate include:

• Long term health conditions including but not limited to Asthma, Diabetes, High Cholesterol or High Blood Pressure. Even if you have had the condition for many years, sudden changes can occur to worsen these conditions. You should always have regular follow-ups with your doctor to ensure your condition is well managed. In addition, medications for these conditions may also cause severe side effects if the dose is not carefully adjusted.
• Bacterial infections. Consultation with your doctor is necessary to ensure that the appropriate medication is chosen, one that is effective and will not cause harm.
• Some populations (e.g. infants, children and the elderly) may be more sensitive to side effects or may require special dosing adjustments for their medications. Seeking advice from a healthcare professional is highly recommended.

You should also seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms (this list is not exhaustive):

• Blue/purple discolouration of lips
• Change in level of consciousness or senses (including vision, hearing, taste)
• Chest pain
• Difficulty speaking
• Pain and/or blood on urination
• Paralysis (loss of ability to move or control) of face/arms/legs
• Persistent bleeding/bruising with unknown cause
• Persistent or severe vomiting
• Signs of infection/inflammation (i.e. pus, swelling, redness, tenderness, heat)
• Yellowing of skin and/or eyes

What Types of Medication Can Be Obtained for Self-Medication?

There are 3 classes of medication in Singapore

Over the Counter (OTC)/General Sales List (GSL) Medication

These medications may be obtained online, or from any store without consulting a doctor or pharmacist. They generally have few serious side effects and may be used safely by a healthy adult without monitoring from a healthcare professional

Pharmacy-only (P) Medication

These medications may be obtained without a doctor’s prescription, but only after consulting with a pharmacist on whether this medication is suitable to treat your medical condition. These medications require more caution when using, but may be used safely by following the advice from a pharmacist. Personal identification must be presented upon purchase of these medications. They cannot be purchased legally through online shopping platforms.

Prescription-only medication (POM)

These medications are usually used to treat long-term medical conditions, or more serious conditions which require an accurate assessment from a doctor to determine the best possible treatment. These medications generally have a greater risk of more serious side effects, especially when used incorrectly. They require a prescription issued by a doctor registered to practise in Singapore, if you want to purchase them from a local pharmacy, and cannot be sold legally on online shopping platforms. 

What Else Must I Take Note of When Self-Medicating?

It is important to always inform your doctor or healthcare professional if you are currently self-medicating. Even if you are self-medicating for an illness which is different from the one that you are consulting your doctor for, the doctor will need to know what medications you are currently taking. This is because some medications can interact with each other, making them less effective or increasing the risk of side effects.

Creating a medication list can help you and your doctor keep track of all your medications at any point in time.

Final Words on Self-Medication

With the arrival of the age of information, it has become easier for patients to find out about and treat minor illnesses on their own. However, you need to be careful to ensure that the information you refer to is accurate, up-to-date and relevant to Singapore’s setting.

Refer to HealthHub for up-to-date information on medications and minor illnesses.

Refer to MOH “Know Your Medication Series” for up-to-date information on medication usage and management.

Disclaimers

"This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

The content above is solely for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or supplement, or adopting any treatment for a health problem."