Use of allopathic and complementary medicine for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in Mexican adults: A national survey

• Published in: Saudi pharmaceutical journal 2021-09, Vol.29 (9), p.1056-1060
• Main Authors: Ruiz-Padilla, Alan Joel, Alonso-Castro, Angel Josabad, Preciado-Puga, Mónica, González-Núñez, Ariadna Irais, González-Chávez, José Lorenzo, Ruiz-Noa, Yeniley, Ortiz-Cortes, Miriam, Brennan-Bourdon, Lorena Michele, Deveze-Álvarez, Martha Alicia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Complementary medicine; COVID-19; Cross-sectional study; Original; Self-medication
• ISSN: 1319-0164; 2213-7475
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2021.07.009

The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of allopathic and complementary medicine use for preventing the infection with SARS-CoV-2 in Mexico. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire among general adult population (n = 16,724) of the 32 Mexican states from March to November 2020. The factors associated with the use, self-medication practice, and adverse reactions due the consumption of allopathic and complementary medicine to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus were assessed using a structured questionnaire. The suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of drugs or complementary medicine were reported. The prevalence (42.9%) of allopathic and/or complementary medicine use for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection was mainly associated with unemployment [OR:2.026 (1.722–2.283)]. Acetaminophen (n = 2272) and vitamin C (n = 3252) were the main allopathic and complementary medicine products used to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection, respectively. The prevalence of self-medication and adverse reactions was 35.3% and 4.8%, respectively. Self-medication [OR:1.930 (1.633–2.282)] and adverse reactions [OR:2.603 (2.015–3.363)] were mainly associated with individuals of low socioeconomic status. Hydroxychloroquine (21.2%) and chloroquine (15.2%) showed the highest prevalence of adverse reactions, which were mainly related to gastrointestinal disorders. The use of medications and complementary medicine to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection is prevalent (almost one-half of the respondents) among Mexican population, and it is mainly associated with unemployment. Self-medication and the adverse reactions derived from self-medication are also prevalent and seem to be influenced by low socioeconomic status.