Self-medication with antibiotics and bacterial resistence: a systematic review

• Medeiros Masculi, Brenda ^[1] ; Adrián Estrin, Marcelo
  1. [1] Universidad Abierta Interamericana

     Universidad Abierta Interamericana

     Argentina

     
• Localización: SAP Primary Care, ISSN-e 3121-2212, Nº. 1, 2025
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Background: Bacterial resistance is one of the major threats to global public health. Among the factors that contribute to its increase, self-medication with antibiotics stands out as a common practice associated with the inappropriate use of these drugs. Material and methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, SciELO, and Elsevier databases, including studies published between 2015 and 2025 in Spanish and English. Observational, experimental, and previous review studies analyzing the association between antibiotic self-medication and bacterial resistance were included. Results: The reviewed studies revealed a high prevalence of self-medication in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, mainly involving penicillins and macrolides. The most frequently reported bacteria were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, showing a significant increase in multidrug-resistant strains. Conclusion: Self-medication with antibiotics is a key driver in the spread of bacterial resistance. Strengthening control policies, restricting over-the-counter antibiotic sales, and developing community education programs on rational antimicrobial use are essential to reduce this global problem.