Nigeria, like many other nations, grapples with the menace of common and severe drug abuse. While the reasons behind drug abuse are multifaceted, it’s crucial to shed light on the most commonly abused drugs in the country and the severe dangers and side effects they pose.
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:
- Ulcers
- Internal bleeding
- Heart attack
- Stroke in the Brain
- Liver damage
- 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:
- Abnormal menstruation
- Painful menses
- Bleeding
- Hair loss
- Headache
- 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:
- Ulcer
- Hypertension
- Hearing problem
- Kidney damage
- Problems with the Pancreas
- Liver damage.
4. COUGH SYRUP:
You will wonder why Cough syrups are a best seller in Pharmacies, especially the ones with Codeine. Has various constituents but lot of people take it like Fanta & mix in drinks.
When misused, it can cause:
- Psychiatry problems like Hallucinations, Delusions
- Addiction
- Sudden death
5. IBUPROFEN
Common pain medicine taken by lot of people. Common also among-elderly when they say they have “Rheumatism”
When misused, it can cause:
- Internal bleeding
- Hypertension
- Heart attack
- It can trigger an asthmatic attack
- Kidney failure
- 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:
- Hypertension
- Sleep problems
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Abnormal beating of the heart
- Not safe in Pregnancy
7. TETRACYCLINE
Common one is Doxycycline a lot of people admitted to using it for ‘toilet infection’ and abortion.
When misused, it can cause:
- Liver damage
- Skin problems
- Hearing problem
- It crosses the Placenta and damages the baby’s bone and teeth
- A No No if you’re pregnant.
8. VITAMIN:
It might look like that small orange pill or sweet white pills. It is like Chewing gum for some people.
When misused, it can cause:
- 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:
- Liver damage
- 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:
- It can reduce the blood cells count.
- It can damage the brain and nerves
- Not best safe early in Pregnancy
- It has controversial link to Cancer in Animals.
11. ALABUKUN:
Alabukun powder contains aspirin and caffeine. A lot of persons use it for pain relief, especially bricklayers and heavy duty workers Some dangers if abused are:
- Ulcers
- Bleeding
- Liver damage
- Kidney damage
- Heart attack
- Hypertension
- One can even bleed to death
Related Post: Fight against Drug abuse: NAFDAC begins tracking, tracing of tramadol, codeine, others.
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:
- Dangerous in people with penicillin allergy
- Seizures
- Damage the muscles
- Kidney problems.
13. CYPROHEPTADINE:
Common brand is Cypri Gold. People have abused it, because it can stimulate appetite, in a bid to gain weight.
Some dangers if abused:
- It can affect blood cells
- Damage the liver
- Cause poor sleep
- Abnormal hand shaking
- Ringing in ears
- Mess your menses up
- 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 are:
- It can be addictive
- Dizziness and memory problem
- Reduce libido
- Liver damage
- Stopping it suddenly after long abuse is also dangerous
15. TRAMADOL:
Tramadol, an opioid painkiller, has gained notoriety as a widely abused drug in Nigeria. Tramadol is meant to be a tightly regulated drug, but sadly in Nigeria even with #50 you can get it on the streets.
Some dangers if abused:
- Addiction can cut off your breathing
- Seizures
- Seeing things not there
- Headache
- Anxiety.
The prevalence of counterfeit and adulterated tramadol adds an additional layer of danger to its abuse.
Addressing the issue of drug abuse in Nigeria requires a multifaceted approach, including public awareness campaigns, improved healthcare services, and stringent law enforcement.
[…] Read Also: The Most Commonly Abused Drugs in Nigeria and Their Grave Consequences […]