[Self-medication: concept and "users'" profile].

Self-medication constitutes one of the most modern expressions of the always present need of men and women for care of their health. However, in contrast to other expressions of selfcare, the self-medication includes, for a good part of population and the most of the doctors, negative connotations. Contrary to this vision, the WHO marks the existence of a valid role for self-medication in developed societies. This article has two objectives: to revise the different concepts of self-medication proposed in literature; and to revise the socio-demographic and socio-medical factors connected with the practice of self-medication.