Over-the-counter medication and herbal or dietary supplement use in college: dose frequency and relationship to self-reported distress.

Objective: A growing number of researchers have examined the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications and herbal or dietary supplements among college students. There is concern about the efficacy and safety of these products, particularly because students appear to use them at a higher rate than does the general public.

Participants And Methods: The authors administered surveys to college students (N = 201) to assess the frequency of use in the past week.