Norsk
Norwegian Association of Pharmacists

Discourage the use of over-the-counter medicines/medical devices* for self-care beyond 7–10 days, unless otherwise specified in the package leaflet/user guide

25. JULI 2025

Rationale:

Self-care refers to when a patient/customer prevents or treats ailments and illnesses, with or without the use of over-the-counter medicines, medical devices, etc.

Most non-prescription medications are intended for self-treatment for up to 7–10 days. If the patient/customer still has symptoms, it should be assessed whether other healthcare professionals (doctor, dentist) should be consulted — unless otherwise specified in the package leaflet/user guide. There are exceptions, such as the preventive use of lactulose for constipation.

Overuse of over-the-counter medications may lead to side effects that closely resemble symptoms typically managed through self-care.

*In this context, medical devices refer to drug-like products classified as medical devices. 

Examples: 

  • Medikamentoverforbrukshodepine (MOH, medikamentindustert-, rebound hodepine) ved
    langvarig bruk av reseptfrie smertestillende tabletter/kapsler. Referanser:
    • https://nevrologi.legehandboka.no//handboken/sykdommer/hodepine/sekundarehodepiner/medikamentoverforbrukshodepine-moh/
    • https://www.uptodate.com/contents/medication-overuse-headache-etiology-clinical-featuresanddiagnosis?search=medication%20overuse%20headache&source=search_result&selectedTitle
      =1~93&usage_type=default&display_rank=1
  • Tett nese ved langvarig bruk av slimhinneavsvellende nesespray. Referanser
    • https://helsenorge.no/legemidler/nesespray
    • https://relis.no/Aktuelt/Arkiv/2015/Avhengighet_av_nesespray/
  • Rebound hypersekresjon ved seponering etter langvarig bruk av protonpumpehemmere. Referanse: 
    • https://www.legemiddelhandboka.no/L12.3.2/Legemidler_ved_mage-_og_tarmsykdommer