Objectives: The reported frequency of self-medication in Colombia ranges from 32.3percent-flag-change to 84.7percent-flag-change, depending on the study sample and time frame. This study aimed to estimate a pooled prevalence of self-medication and its associated factors in Colombian youth and adults. Method: A comprehensive systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the studies on self-medication in Colombia published from January 2000 - June 2022 was conducted. Results: Twelve studies (n=5, 668) from urban areas were included, and a pooled prevalence of self-medication of 64.2percent-flag-change (95percent-flag-change confidence interval [CI] 50.8percent-flag-change-77.5percent-flag-change) was found. However, the prevalence was lower when self-medication was assessed during the last 30 days (32.3percent-flag-change; 95percent-flag-changeCI 25.4percent-flag-change-39.3percent-flag-change) than when longer time frames were used. Female university students had a higher frequency of self-medication (OR= 1.72; 95percent-flag-change CI 1.17-2.53) than males. The most common medications were analgesics (37.7percent-flag-change), anti-inflammatories (33.2percent-flag-change), antihistamines (14.8percent-flag-change), and antibiotics/antiparasitics (12.1percent-flag-change). Lack of time and delays in medical care were reported in 35.2percent-flag-change (95percent-flag-change CI 25.6percent-flag-change-44.7percent-flag-change) of the cases. Conclusions: The reported frequency of self-medication in urban areas of Colombia changed across the studies depending on the time frame used; therefore, this should be considered when conducting and comparing studies on self-medication prevalence. Although over-the-counter drugs were the most frequently involved (85.7percent-flag-change), the reported use of prescription drugs such as antibiotics/antiparasitics was 12.1percent-flag-change. Considering that lacking time and delays in medical care were reported in a third of cases of self-medication, shortening the long waiting times for healthcare services might contribute to the proper use of medications.
