Drug Abuse and Misuse (Part 2)

Today, I want to talk about different drugs that are commonly misused/abused and the adverse effects that results from such.

• Antibiotics:

"Common cold" and "sore throat" are two challenges that prompts a lot of persons to take antibiotics as a combat measure. However, both are viral infections and NOT bacterial infections. Antibiotics have no effect on them. Even most cases of bronchitis are viral infections and can't be treated with antibiotics. Also, bacterial ear infections should be treated with ear drops rather than oral antibiotics which have side effects. Most coughs and flu are viral infections too, and do not benefit from bacterial antibiotic therapy.

Tetracycline, Metronidazole (flagyl) and Ciprofloxacin are three commonly abused Antibiotics. A lot of persons self medicate when they have symptoms like stomach upset. There are other options than taking Antibiotics at the slightest of symptoms. A health practitioner should be able to advice you. Even when antibiotics is the right way to go, one needs to know the exact cause of the problem, carry out tests, and get to know the right antibiotic to take, instead of just taking anyone that comes to your mind.

A lot of persons that self medicate don't even complete the dose of the antibiotics. That's a major cause of resistance, which makes the microorganism(s) that the antibiotic is meant to fight develop evading mechanisms and modifications that makes it resistant to that antibiotic when it encounters it again.

Most of the antibiotics have some rules of use. Some are not to be taken by individuals below a particular age limit because of future adverse effects. For example, Tetracycline, Ciprofloxacin have required ages to be attained before one is safe to take them. Also, some antibiotics are not to be taken with some other substances that will affect their absorption/action. For example, one shouldn't take Tetracycline with other drugs or food substances containing calcium, magnesium or aluminum.

With these little important notes about Antibiotics, one should avoid misusing and abusing them. Do consult a health practitioner and be safe with their use. Also note that resistance is one major reason why there are several different antibiotics. If we keep encouraging the growth and spread of drug resistance, a time may come when the available drugs that should take care of some microorganisms can't do so anymore and it may become a challenge for drug scientists to synthesize new drugs for the mutated/modified microorganism(s).

• Analgesic (pain) medications:

Certain analgesics are also misused/abused.

Paracetamol is misused/abused when it is taken regularly that the action seems more addictive than therapeutic. Also when more than 8 tablets (of 500mg tablet) is taken in a day, it constitutes risk for one's kidney and liver. In the process of one's liver trying to metabolize the drug, a toxic metabolite is produced. The liver enzymes try to fight off and eliminate the toxic metabolite, but when it is in large quantities, they end up destroying liver cells, resulting in one's liver starting to shut down/fail.
Also, some persons take paracetamol with other pain medications as a combination. When this is to be done, one should seek counsel from a health practitioner. It could involve limiting the dose of the paracetamol to be taken, to prevent adverse effects from interactions between paracetamol and the other drug(s).

Aspirin is another abused drug. It comes in various brand names. It is not meant to be used regularly, as it's mode of action involves inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, that help prevent stomach/peptic ulcers. Thus, abuse of this drug exposes one to ulcer (Also other NSAIDs like Ibuprofen).

Codeine, morphine, tramadol are opioid analgesics that are abused. Abusers do take them because of the euphoric feelings they derive from them. Most times, they are taken in very large doses. These opioid analgesics can result in respiratory depression and death among other side/adverse effects.

• Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel) and Misoprostol:

Postinor 2 isn't meant to be a regular means of contraception. It's an emergency means, but a lot of young females abuse it. The drug shouldn't be used more than once within a regular cycle (28 day period), but some young females do use it on a weekly basis. It disrupts the normal menstral cycle and it could prevent one from getting pregnant when one is expected to.

Misoprostol's major use is in the prevention of NSAIDs induced ulcer, and also to induce labour. It is also used for medical abortions but if it should be used for this, it's best done under supervision of a health practitioner. When used for abortion, it's best used with another drug. However, this drug is abused by most young females, who self medicate. Without supervision, the drug can result in side/adverse effects like prolonged bleeding which requires medical attention. It can also result in ectopic pregnancy, and a failed abortion can resulted to birth defects.

• Antimalarials are also abused when one doesn't go for diagnostic tests before resorting to malaria medications when he/she experiences fever or headache. Sometimes, such symptoms are not of malaria, but malaria seems to be the most easy illness to predict whenever such symptoms is experienced.

• Sleeping pills (Hypnotics/Sedatives) are also abused by adults who are dependent on them to be able to sleep.

• Alcohol is another abused drug. Its abuse can affect one's judgement, as well as serve as a trigger for other health conditions.

There are other abused drugs. The part 1 of this topic explained what drug misuse/abuse is. In fact, all drugs can be misused/abused.

Let's together help fight and discourage drug abuse!

Do you know other drugs I omitted? Let's share..