The Social Life of Health Information

Prescription or over-the-counter drugs

45% of internet users look online for information about prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

More Americans are looking online for information about prescription drugs and other treatments than they were in 2002, and more Americans are continuing to search for prescription and over-the-counter drugs than for alternative or experimental treatments.

Various treatments and medicines

Searches for prescription or over-the-counter drugs saw a significant jump over the last six years. Currently, 45% of online adults look for information about prescription or over-the-counter drugs, up from 34% in 2002.

Prescription drugs

Pew Internet Logo

Copyright 2012 Pew Internet & American Life Project

The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project is one of seven projects that make up the Pew Research Center. The Center is supported by The Pew Charitable Trust.