USE OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS AS SELF-MEDICATION AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS: IMPACTS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND THE ROLE OF THE PHARMACIST

Abstract

The use of psychotropic drugs has increased significantly, following the rise in mental disorders, especially among university students, a group exposed to high levels of stress, anxiety, and academic overload. In this context, the growth of self-medication is observed as a strategy to cope with psychological distress, constituting a public health problem. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence of self-medication with psychotropic drugs among university students, its associated factors, impacts on mental health, and the role of the pharmacist. This is an integrative literature review, guided by the PICo strategy, conducted in the SciELO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Virtual Health Library, and CAPES Portal databases, considering studies published between 2020 and 2025. After applying eligibility criteria and the PRISMA flow, 15 studies were included in the final analysis. The results showed a high prevalence of self-medication, mainly associated with academic stress, anxiety, workload, and easy access to medications, in addition to practices such as sharing and reusing prescriptions. Psychotropic drugs were found to be used for emotional control and performance improvement, indicating the medicalization of psychological distress. Regarding impacts, risks such as dependence, adverse effects, sleep disturbances, and cognitive impairment were identified. It is concluded that self-medication has a high prevalence, with significant impacts on mental health, highlighting the importance of the pharmacist in promoting the rational use of these medications.