Drug abuse is the use of drugs for an individual purpose not consistent with legal or medical guidelines. It has a negative impact on health or functioning and may take the form of drug dependence, or be part of a wider spectrum of problematic or harmful behaviour.Excessive use of psychoactive drugs, such as alcohol, pain medication can lead to physical, social or emotional harm. Below are the most commonly abused drugs:

 1.  DICLOFENAC:
A lot of people pop these pills for pains, menstrual pains and Bone pains the so called "RHEUMATISM" .

In the long run, misuse of Diclofenac can cause:
  • Ulcers.
  • Internal bleeding.
  • Heart attack.
  • Stroke in the Brain.
  • Liver damage.
  • Kidney damage.


 2.  POSTINOR
A common oral contraceptive used by sexually active women to prevent pregnancy. This is now like Tom tom in people's purses and bags.
 When misused 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.
 Misuse 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.
It has various constituents but a lot of people take it like Fanta & mix in drinks.
 Some dangers:
  • Psychiatry problems like Hallucinations , Delusions.
  • Addiction.
  • sudden death.


 5.  IBUPROFEN
IBUPROFEN is a common pain medicine taken by a lot of people. It is common also among elderly when they say they have "Rheumatism".
 Misuse 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 and anyone who wants to stay alert have experimented this in one way or the other.
 Long term use 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'(so called) and abortion.
 Misuse can cause:
  • Liver damage.
  • Skin problems.
  • Hearing problem.
  • It crosses the Placenta and damages the baby's bone and teeth.
It's a No if you're pregnant.


8.  VITAMIN C
It might look like that small orange pill or sweet white pills . It is like Chewing gum for some people.
Some dangers:
  • 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
Paracetamol is one of the most available pain killers, with 100 naira , you can get it. Some people even use it in cooking meat to make it tender, which is so wrong.
 When Paracetamol is overused, it can cause:
  • Liver damage.
  • Kidney damage.

Be careful with paracetamol especially around children. Health is wealth.


© Olarewaju Aishat Olamide