ABSTRACT
Introduction: Undergraduate medical students have knowledge of drugs and have a tendency to self-medicate.This study was done to assess the practice of self-medication among these medical students. Methods: Three hundred medical undergraduates from different years of medical education in Gauhati Medical College were subjected to a validated questionnaire on history of practice of self-medication in last 6 months. Results: Self medication was practiced by 73.3% students, with highest contribution(31.8%) by 4th year students.There was increase in practice in self-medication with increase in the year since medical admission (p<0.0001).Academic knowledge or textbooks were the most common references used.Reasons for self-medications were mild nature of illness,saving time,urgency and cost-effectiveness. Conclusion: Self-medication is common in undergraduate medical students