Investigation has revealed that some nonprescription drugs commonly abused by Nigerians pose serious threat to the health of the individuals involved, if the dangerous trend is not urgently checked.
A lot of people, it was observed, take these drugs without doctor’s prescription. They take the drugs just because someone they know has used it to cure certain aliment.
Investigation also revealed that intake of several high doses of such drugs over a short period of time may make a drug abuser aggressive or paranoid.
Speaking to our correspondent on the extent of drug abuse in the country, a Pharmacist, Oluwatosin Fatungase, said although the abuse of these drugs might not lead to physical dependence and withdrawal, the feelings they gave to the abusers could cause them to use such drugs more often so that it would become a habit that would be hard to break.
She said drug abuse had now become rampant and alarming in Nigeria.
“It cuts across various age brackets. Most don’t know the dangers of abusing drugs, while others don’t care about the consequences,” she said.
Such drugs commonly taken and abused by Nigerians, according to him, include analgesics such as paracetamol, piroxicam and ibuprofen.
She disclosed that their abuse could result in kidney and liver failure.
“Continuous use of NSAIDS such as ibuprofen, diclofenac and piroxicam can trigger or aggravate ulcer,” she said.
Others, according to her, include antibiotics such as Ampiclox, Amoxil and Ampicillin capsule. The abuse of these drugs, he said, could lead to resistance.
Also abused are steroidal analgesics such as tramadol and pentazocine, which can result in addiction, extreme drowsiness, seizure and irregular breathing, among others.
“Antitussives such as Emzolyn, Benylin, Benylin with Codeine have side effects, which include drowsiness, headache and nausea. Now, imagine someone taking an overdose of Tramadol, Codeine or any other drug, it can be life threatening,” she said.
The danger of these drugs, according to her, could be made more threatening if taken in a way they weren’t intended to be used.
Fatungase added that taking too much of these drugs would definitely have life threatening consequences such as trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, constipation and coma.
“The reason why they are abused is because they are addictive and the effects they give. My advice is, don’t even start it. If you are addicted to any of these drugs, please see your doctor immediately,” she added.
