How Well Do Young People Follow the Label? An Investigation of Four Classes of Over-the-Counter Drugs

Abstract

Media reports, medical professionals, mental health counselors, and existing research suggest that some young people fail to follow the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) required labeling of over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Indeed, anecdotal evidence suggests young people are misusing some OTC products by taking more than the recommended dosage and/or taking them for purposes other than those intended by the FDA or the manufacturer. In a nonprobability sample, the authors find a significant incidence of OTC drug misuse. More than half of the past-30-day OTC drug uses were over the recommended dosage—some of which were intentional (i.e., the user knowingly took more than recommended), some unintentional (i.e., the user was unaware that he or she was taking more than recommended). A smaller percentage used OTC drugs for off-label, recreational purposes (e.g., getting high). Intentional overuse and recreational use are related positively to peer approval of overuse of OTC medicines. In addition, both uses increase as risk perceptions decrease. Recreational use appears to be similar to illicit drug use, in that recreational users tend to have lower self-esteem and place a greater value on independence relative to academic achievement.