The survey, published online ahead of print in Journal of Women's Health, found that 44 percent of the women borrowed and shared allergy medications and 43 percent lent pain medications -- the types of drugs most commonly borrowed or shared by reproductive-aged women.

The study is designed to describe patterns of prescription medication borrowing and sharing among various groups of adults. It revealed that 36.5 percent women of reproductive age -- 18 to 44 -- are more likely to report this practice compared to women of non-reproductive age.

In the overall survey of more than 25,000 women and men, 28.8 percent of women and 26.5 percent of men reported ever borrowing or sharing prescription medications.

The authors emphasize some of the risks involved in using another person's prescription drugs, including unanticipated side effects, complications of incorrect use, drug-drug interactions, antibiotic resistance and risk of addiction. Of great importance for reproductive-aged women is the risk of teratogenic effects on a developing embryo or fetus if the women were to become pregnant.