Medically there is nothing wrong with taking drugs prescribed by a certified medical practitioner. Sadly, many Nigerians are subscribing to Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications. These are medications that can be purchased without a prescription, such as pain relievers, cough syrups, antacids, or allergy medications etc. Individuals may use these medications to alleviate common symptoms or minor ailments. But danger lurks.
1.
DICLOFENAC
A lot of people pop these pills for pains,
menstrual pains, and bone pains the so-called "RHEUMATISM"
When
misused, it can cause:
1. Ulcers
2. Internal bleeding
3. Heart attack
4. Stroke in the Brain
5. Liver damage
6. Kidney damage
2. POSTINOR
This is now like Tomtom in people's purses
and bags. A common oral contraceptive used by sexually active women to prevent
pregnancy
When
misused, it can cause:
1. Abnormal menstruation
2. Painful menses
3. Bleeding
4. Hair loss
5. Headache
6. Increased chances of Breast cancer.
3. FELVIN
The drug is Piroxicam. It belongs to a class
called NSAIDS (Just like Diclofenac). It is used during Menstruation for
Menstrual pains by a lot of women
When
misused, it can cause:
1. Ulcer
2. Hypertension
3. Hearing problem
4. Kidney damage
5. Problems with the Pancreas
6. Liver damage.
4. COUGH SYRUP
You will wonder why Cough syrups are a bestseller in Pharmacies, especially the
ones with Codeine. Has various constituents but many people take it like
Fanta & mix in drinks
When misused,
it can cause:
1. Psychiatry problems like Hallucinations,
Delusions
2. Addiction
3. Sudden death
5. IBUPROFEN
Common pain medicine taken by a lot of people.
Common also among the elderly when they say they have "Rheumatism"
When
misused, it can cause:
1. Internal bleeding
2. Hypertension
3. Heart attack
4. It can trigger an asthmatic attack
5. Kidney failure
6. Increases your risk of Abortion
(controversial)
6.
COFFEE
Coffee contains Caffeine it has become like
daily water for some people. Executives, students & anyone who wants to
stay alert have experimented
When
misused, it can cause:
1. Hypertension
2. Sleep problems
3. Anxiety
4. Headache
5. Abnormal beating of the heart
6. Not safe in Pregnancy
7. TETRACYCLINE
A common one is Doxycycline a lot of people
admitted to using it for 'toilet infection' (so-called) and abortion
When
misused, it can cause:
1. Liver damage
2. Skin problems
3. Hearing problem
4. It crosses the placenta and damages the
baby's bones and teeth
5. A No, No if you're pregnant.
8. VITAMIN C
It might look like that small orange pill or
sweet white pill. It is like Chewing gum for some people
When misused, it can cause:
1. Excess and overdose of it can increase
your chances of having a Kidney stone which can damage the Kidneys, especially
when one has a background kidney problem.
9. PARACETAMOL
One of the most available pain killers and
with just 100 naira, you can purchase it. Some people even use it in cooking
meat to make Meat tender/soft, which is too wrong. And dangerous for the
health.
When
Paracetamol is overused, it can cause:
1. Liver damage
2. Kidney damage.
Also, be careful with paracetamol in
children.
10. FLAGYL
This is one of the most abused Antibiotics in
Nigeria. People take it like they are taking candy bars. Any small diarrhoea,
they take it.
Some side
effects if abused are:
1. It can reduce the blood cells count.
2. It can damage the brain and nerves
3. Not best safe early in Pregnancy
4. It has a controversial link to Cancer in
Animals.
11. ALABUKUN
Alabukun powder contains aspirin and
caffeine. A lot of people use it for pain relief, especially bricklayers and
heavy-duty workers
Some dangers
if abused:
1. Ulcers
2. Bleeding
3. Liver damage
4. Kidney damage
5. Heart attack
6. Hypertension.
7. One can even bleed to death
12. AMPICLOX
It contains Ampicillin and Cloxacillin. It is
now a drug people run to 'flush' their system after sex, abortion or treat so-called "Toilet infections".
Some dangers
if abused:
1. Dangerous in people with penicillin allergy. (Bad
reactions)
2. Seizures
3. Damage the muscles
4. Kidney problems.
13. CYPROHEPTADINE
The common brand is Cypri Gold. People have
abused it, because it can stimulate appetite, in a bid to gain weight.
Some dangers
if abused:
1. It can affect blood cells
2. Damage to the liver
3. Cause poor sleep
4. Abnormal handshaking
5. Ringing in ears
6. Mess your menses up
7. Low blood pressure.
14. LEXOTHAN
One of the most abused drugs by Nigerians in
a bid to get good sleep. It sedates.
Some dangers
if abused:
1. It can be addictive
2. Dizziness and memory problems,
3. Reduce libido,
4. Liver damage
Stopping it suddenly after long abuse is also
dangerous (See a Doctor to guide you ).
15. TRAMADOL
Tramadol is meant to be a tightly regulated
drug, but sadly in Nigeria even with 50 naira you can get it on the streets.
Some dangers
if abused:
1. Addiction can cut off your breathing
2. Seizures
3. Seeing things not there
4. Headache,
5. Anxiety.
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