ABSTRACT
To determine the pattern and preferences of self-medication practices among the undergraduate medical students of Islamabad Medical and Dental college Islamabad. This cross-sectional study was undertaken at Islamabad Medical and Dental College Islamabad during a three months period [October 2012 to December 2012]. The study population consisted of medical students from first to final year, selected by consecutive sampling method, within the age group of 17-29 years with mean age 21.4 years and SD 2.4. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was administered to them. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and summarized. Percentages were used in the analysis and interpretation of the results. Out of 100 students a total of 88 students [40 [45.5%] female participants and 48 [54.5%] male participants] said that they practiced self-medication. Among these 54.2% attributed their source of information to electronic media 18% to print media and 27.9% to drug promotional activities, 62.9% said that they have sufficient knowledge regarding self medication. The leading percentage that is 51% used analgesics, 44.3% used antibiotics, and 4.5% used psychiatric drugs. Out of those who used psychiatric drugs, 75% used short acting anxiolytics and 25% used long acting antidepressant drugs. There is high prevalence of self medication among under graduate medical students and diversity exists in its pattern