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Adolescents' knowledge and perception of medicine risk. BACKGROUND: Adolescents often start to use medicines independently without having sufficient knowledge or previous experience, which can lead to the inappropriate use of medicines. METHODS: Adolescents' knowledge of medicines, perception of their effectiveness, risk of the medicines and a possible association between these terms and health status, age and gender were studied. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 13-18-year-old adolescents in secondary school. RESULTS: There were differences in adolescents' knowledge, attitude and perception of risk of medicines related to their age, gender and, to a lesser extent, health status. Chronically ill adolescents had better knowledge about allergy medicines according to the mean score of a 5-point Likert scale (1, strongly agree; 5, strongly disagree; 2.30 vs 2.51, P = 0.005) and they agreed to a lesser extent than healthy adolescents that rescription medicines improve their health (2.21 vs 2.05, P = 0.034). Medicine knowledge differed significantly with age (P < 0.001). Older adolescents (16-18 years old) were more knowledgeable about medicines (1.33-3.04 vs 1.64-3.71, P < 0.05) and they agreed to a lesser extent than younger adolescents (2.11-4.03 vs 1.86-3.56, P < 0.05) with statements that prescription medicines are effective and safe. Girls were more knowledgeable than boys (1.43-3.04 vs 1.64-3.14, P < 0.05) and preferred to discuss medicines with their parents. CONCLUSION: The level of knowledge and the perception of medicine risk are associated with the health status, age and gender of adolescents, and health-care professionals need to be aware of this when educating adolescents.