BACTERIAL RESISTANCE AS A CONSEQUENCE OF SELF-MEDICATION WITH ANTIBIOTICS

Abstract

Antibiotics are essential medicines in the treatment of bacterial infections, acting by eliminating or inhibiting bacterial growth. However, self-medication with antimicrobials, often motivated by previous experiences or informal recommendations, represents a serious public health problem. The World Health Organization warns that the indiscriminate use of these medicines may cause more than 10 million deaths annually by 2050 due to infections caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between self-medication with antibiotics and the development of bacterial resistance, highlighting its impacts on public health and the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments. This is an integrative literature review conducted through searches in Google Scholar, SciELO, and LILACS databases, including studies published between 2012 and 2026. The results demonstrate that antimicrobial resistance is a global concern aggravated by socioeconomic and structural factors. The study also highlights the main mechanisms of bacterial resistance and emphasizes the importance of the pharmacist’s role in promoting the rational use of antibiotics and controlling hospital infections.