5 DRUGS COMMONLY ABUSED BY NIGERIANS AND THEIR ADVERSE EFFECTS
A drug is
defined according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary as a pharmacological
substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or
prevention of disease. Drugs are natural or synthetic chemicals capable of
altering or modifying the functioning of the body system for therapeutic
purposes.
defined according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary as a pharmacological
substance intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or
prevention of disease. Drugs are natural or synthetic chemicals capable of
altering or modifying the functioning of the body system for therapeutic
purposes.
Prescription
drugs fall into several categories: antibiotics used in the treatment of
various infections; analgesics otherwise known as pain relievers; sedatives
used in treating insomnia and antihypertensives for blood pressure lowering
among others. More still, some pharmacologic agents are also classified as hard
drugs. These are generally defined as substances with a high potential for
abuse, severe addiction or death.
drugs fall into several categories: antibiotics used in the treatment of
various infections; analgesics otherwise known as pain relievers; sedatives
used in treating insomnia and antihypertensives for blood pressure lowering
among others. More still, some pharmacologic agents are also classified as hard
drugs. These are generally defined as substances with a high potential for
abuse, severe addiction or death.
It is
important to note that they may be legal or illegal depending on the
circumstances surrounding their use. A few common examples include cocaine,
heroin, marijuana (cannabis) and a host of others.
important to note that they may be legal or illegal depending on the
circumstances surrounding their use. A few common examples include cocaine,
heroin, marijuana (cannabis) and a host of others.
Furthermore,
drug abuse or misuse simply refers to the consumption of illegal drugs or the
inappropriate use of legal or prescription drugs. Obviously, it then follows
that both prescription drugs (to be prescribed by the doctor) and
nonprescription drugs (can be procured over the counter) may be abused or
misused.
drug abuse or misuse simply refers to the consumption of illegal drugs or the
inappropriate use of legal or prescription drugs. Obviously, it then follows
that both prescription drugs (to be prescribed by the doctor) and
nonprescription drugs (can be procured over the counter) may be abused or
misused.
Misuse of
prescription drugs can be in the form of taking overdose or underdose of the
prescribed medications both of which may have dire consequences. Arguably, drug
abuse is fraught with several potential adverse effects. In this article, I
intend to focus on some of the prescription drugs commonly abused by Nigerians
and their potential adverse effects
prescription drugs can be in the form of taking overdose or underdose of the
prescribed medications both of which may have dire consequences. Arguably, drug
abuse is fraught with several potential adverse effects. In this article, I
intend to focus on some of the prescription drugs commonly abused by Nigerians
and their potential adverse effects
PARACETAMOL
This drug is
definitely a household name. It comes in different popular brand names such as
panadol, boska and M&B. Due to its analgesic, antipyretic and
anti-inflammatory properties, paracetamol is widely used – and frequently
abused – for the treatment of fever, headache as well as mild to moderate body
aches.
definitely a household name. It comes in different popular brand names such as
panadol, boska and M&B. Due to its analgesic, antipyretic and
anti-inflammatory properties, paracetamol is widely used – and frequently
abused – for the treatment of fever, headache as well as mild to moderate body
aches.
Although it
is relatively safe especially when compared with most other pain killers, it is
not without adverse effects mostly when consumed in excess. Evidently, the most
dreaded adverse effect is hepatotoxicity (liver damage) and this may occur
after the maximum recommended dose of 4g (8 tablets) is exceeded per day.
is relatively safe especially when compared with most other pain killers, it is
not without adverse effects mostly when consumed in excess. Evidently, the most
dreaded adverse effect is hepatotoxicity (liver damage) and this may occur
after the maximum recommended dose of 4g (8 tablets) is exceeded per day.
The
incidence of hepatotoxicity is even much higher among alcoholics. Some other
adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and rashes. In view of
these, patients are usually advised to consult the doctor if symptoms persist
despite taking paracetamol.
incidence of hepatotoxicity is even much higher among alcoholics. Some other
adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and rashes. In view of
these, patients are usually advised to consult the doctor if symptoms persist
despite taking paracetamol.
ASPIRIN
This is
another widely abused drug in Nigeria. Popular brands include Alabukun and
Phensic. Aspirin belongs to the group of drugs called Non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are often employed in the treatment of
severe headaches (such as migraine), dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pain), rheumatoid
arthritis, osteoarthritis and many other causes of pain.
another widely abused drug in Nigeria. Popular brands include Alabukun and
Phensic. Aspirin belongs to the group of drugs called Non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are often employed in the treatment of
severe headaches (such as migraine), dysmenorrhoea (menstrual pain), rheumatoid
arthritis, osteoarthritis and many other causes of pain.
Other NSAIDs
include ibuprofen, diclofenac, piroxicam (feldene), indometacin and so on. They
act by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme which is involved in the
production of prostaglandins that normally protect the epithelial lining of the
stomach from acid secretion.
include ibuprofen, diclofenac, piroxicam (feldene), indometacin and so on. They
act by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme which is involved in the
production of prostaglandins that normally protect the epithelial lining of the
stomach from acid secretion.
Hence, the
most common adverse effect of aspirin and other NSAIDs is peptic ulceration
which is the reason why they should be avoided or used with caution by
individuals with previous or active peptic ulcer disease.
most common adverse effect of aspirin and other NSAIDs is peptic ulceration
which is the reason why they should be avoided or used with caution by
individuals with previous or active peptic ulcer disease.
Furthermore,
aspirin is contraindicated in children less than 16 years as it can lead to
Reye syndrome in them (characterized by liver damage and encephalopathy).
aspirin is contraindicated in children less than 16 years as it can lead to
Reye syndrome in them (characterized by liver damage and encephalopathy).
CODEINE
Codeine is
an opioid analgesic also used in the management of pain and diarrhoea. Like
other opioids, it is widely abused because of its potential to produce euphoria
(high mood) when consumed in large quantities.
an opioid analgesic also used in the management of pain and diarrhoea. Like
other opioids, it is widely abused because of its potential to produce euphoria
(high mood) when consumed in large quantities.
Hence,
codeine abusers consume large quantities of codeine-containing cough syrups
which ultimately leads to adverse effects like dependence, tolerance, sedation
and euphoria. Other adverse effects may include constipation following
prolonged use, dizziness, vomiting, headaches and dry mouth just to mention a
few. Some other opioid analgesics which are also sometimes abused include
morphine, pentazocine (fortwin), tramadol and pethidine. Also, they tend to
cause respiratory depression in large doses.
codeine abusers consume large quantities of codeine-containing cough syrups
which ultimately leads to adverse effects like dependence, tolerance, sedation
and euphoria. Other adverse effects may include constipation following
prolonged use, dizziness, vomiting, headaches and dry mouth just to mention a
few. Some other opioid analgesics which are also sometimes abused include
morphine, pentazocine (fortwin), tramadol and pethidine. Also, they tend to
cause respiratory depression in large doses.
ANTIBIOTICS
Antibiotics
such as tetracycline, metronidazole (flagyl) and ciprofloxacin (ciprotab) are
equally victims of widespread abuse. For instance, ciprofloxacin is a
fluoroquinolone with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity variously used in
the treatment of gastroenteritis (such as cholera and dysentery), typhoid,
sexually transmitted infections (such as gonorrhoea and chancroid), skin
infections as well as urinary tract infections.
such as tetracycline, metronidazole (flagyl) and ciprofloxacin (ciprotab) are
equally victims of widespread abuse. For instance, ciprofloxacin is a
fluoroquinolone with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity variously used in
the treatment of gastroenteritis (such as cholera and dysentery), typhoid,
sexually transmitted infections (such as gonorrhoea and chancroid), skin
infections as well as urinary tract infections.
However,
it’s not without adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain,
headache, dizziness and rashes among others. In addition, it is better to avoid
it in children because of the risk of osteoarthropathy in the weight-bearing
joints.
it’s not without adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain,
headache, dizziness and rashes among others. In addition, it is better to avoid
it in children because of the risk of osteoarthropathy in the weight-bearing
joints.
Similarly,
tetracyclines can cause tooth discoloration when taken by children under 8
years or pregnant women in the third trimester as well as breastfeeding
mothers.
tetracyclines can cause tooth discoloration when taken by children under 8
years or pregnant women in the third trimester as well as breastfeeding
mothers.
Flagyl has
been linked with adverse effects like loss of appetite, diarrhoea, vomiting,
dizziness, headache, seizures, tremors and slurred speech.
been linked with adverse effects like loss of appetite, diarrhoea, vomiting,
dizziness, headache, seizures, tremors and slurred speech.
SEDATIVES/HYPNOTICS
These refer
to drugs commonly used in the treatment of sleep and anxiety disorders. Some of
the common examples are diazepam (valium), bromazepam (lexotan) and lorazepam.
to drugs commonly used in the treatment of sleep and anxiety disorders. Some of
the common examples are diazepam (valium), bromazepam (lexotan) and lorazepam.
Unfortunately,
a lot of people with sleep difficulties have become dependent on sleeping pills
such that they can hardly sleep without them.
a lot of people with sleep difficulties have become dependent on sleeping pills
such that they can hardly sleep without them.
However,
prolonged use of these medications is not without adverse effects such as
respiratory depression, confusion, tolerance, dependence, visual disturbances,
reduced libido (sexual drive) and headache.
prolonged use of these medications is not without adverse effects such as
respiratory depression, confusion, tolerance, dependence, visual disturbances,
reduced libido (sexual drive) and headache.
Therefore,
it is better to identify and treat the underlying cause of insomnia rather than
take permanently to sleeping pills which may eventually become ineffective
after some time.
it is better to identify and treat the underlying cause of insomnia rather than
take permanently to sleeping pills which may eventually become ineffective
after some time.
Dr Wale: Discussion
in ‘Health & Living’
in ‘Health & Living’
BEBEAKINBOADE is the fresh voice of African style, offering an informative, inspiring and entertaining mix of fashion,beauty ,entertainment,events ,place, inspirational and much more
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