The Raging Menace Of Medicine Addiction Due To Abuse In Nigeria

Medicine Abuse in Nigeria
Medicine Abuse
The menace of drug abuse is rising fast in Nigeria. However, the recent abuse drugs are no longer hard drugs like cocaine and marijuana.
There is a gradual change now too cheap and easy alternatives that is readily available, over the counter (O.T.C) drugs.

Over the counter (O.T.C) drugs are drugs, according to the national drug formulary, that does not require a prescription and can be sold by patent drug stores. They are also found at community pharmacy shop. These drugs were supposed to encourage the community to be involved in their own health care needs. However, this is not the case as we are seeing now.

OTC drug abuse can, therefore, be defined as when a drug is taken for reasons, ways, or amounts not described for purpose or taken by someone who it is not fit for or when taken longer than required.
The common reasons why OTC drugs are abused are:

  1. To help boost sexual performance by both sexes.
  2. Some OTC prevents sleep.
  3. The feeling of euphoria/highness/mind altering/psychoactive.
  4. Cheap and easily accessible.
  5. It is not against any law hence, no fear of the police.
  6. It is considered safe since it carries the name ‘medicine.’
  7. They serve as alternatives when hard drugs are not readily available.
  8. Easy to administer.

It is unfortunate to note that some OTC drugs have addictive properties, which lead many who abuse it to dependence. Although most persons who start abusing it never knew of this side effect. The common side effects are impaired motor function, nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure, numbness and in severe cases hospitalization or even death.

Drugs abused start in various ways. It could be due to an ailment that is to be treated and from there, it leads to abuse and addiction. For others, sneaking some dose from the cupboard where the family keeps all drugs in the house is common. The most common one is when someone treats a condition with a drug and advises the other with the same condition to take a drug even without a proper diagnosis.

The majority of abusers and consequently addicts are youths. There are five major OTC drugs currently been abuse and is causing many to dependence and addiction.

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OTC Drug Abuse


  1. Codeine: This is an opioid analgesic (painkiller). It is found in most cough syrups in Nigeria. It is an illegal drug when in its pure form. However, inside this cough syrup, it becomes legal. This has led youth to consume bottles of this drug just to achieve their desired dose. For others who were initiated into it, it starts with some few spoonful, subsequently increased as the days, and months go by. This product can lead to death when combined with alcohol.
  2. Paracetamol (Acetaminophen): This drug is one of the abused drugs in this country even though there is no known record of addiction. It has the potential to kill at high doses. So many people have it in their house and take it with the slightest headache.
  3. Dextromethorphan: Found in some cough syrups, it can produce psychoactive effects when taken in a large dose. The effect is increased when combining with alcohol. It is capable of stimulating euphoric or hallucinating effects. Abusers normally take the full bottle of the liquid drug. It has addictive effects.
  4. Caffeine: Most marketers usually use this product as a market strategy because they know many people know how it works. At a low dose, it helps in some drugs but these changes when the dose is increased. This is the most consumed psychoactive compound present in the market now.
  5. Postinor: An emergency contraceptive, postinor is abused by females both married and single women. The maximum quantity of the drug that can be taken in a month is 150 mg divided into two tablets of 0.75 mg each. This is turning into a drug after every sexual activity. Some ladies can go as high as ten in a month. This is mainly because they failed to use barrier method hence contraceptive of last resort. However, it is not addictive but it is capable of altering a woman’s monthly cycle significantly.

OTC Class Of Drug Abuse Are:


  1. Antibiotics
  2. Pseudoephedrine
  3. OTC steroids

How To Stop Abuse Of OTC Drugs

There are some drugs for treating rapid over dosage but non-to treat addiction. The success to quit lies in the hands of the addict and loved ones just like the case with hard drugs. To start with, there ought to be a gradual reduction in the dose and frequency, which will lead to total stopping over time. The duration of such attempts depends on the type of OTC and the person involve.

During the period, a drug that does have the same effect but is not addicted to that person can be administered.  this drug help in coping with withdrawal syndrome.

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Prescription Only Medicine (P.O.M)

There are several POM that are abused in Nigeria. The reason why it is not very common is that you can’t get them without prescription. This is however not always the case as some patent medicines dealers are having access to them.

The following are the most abuse POM in Nigeria.


  1. Amphetamine (Stimulant): This drug is known to increase alertness, energy, and attention. It is indicated for asthma and obesity disease. Abusers take it for its indicated use but get addicted to it. They have other indications.
  2. Diazepam (CNS Depressant): Indicated for anxiety and sleep disorder including insomnia, this drug can produce calm and sleep. Abusers suffer addiction, which requires a steady flow of the drug to feel okay which was the reason for the abuse in the first place.
  3. Barbiturates (Sedatives): Use for treating convulsion and as a sedative, this drug has found its way into the hands of youths who abuse it for sleep and self-detoxification. This causes addiction.
  4. Viagra (Erectile Dysfunction): Indicated for treating sexual conditions in males, youths who feel intimidated have this drug in their closet. It may not produce addiction but can cause dependence in which sex life is greatly affected without it.

The treatment pattern for POM is similar with those of OTC. For example, lifestyle modification is the ultimate. However, drugs do help and treatment by a doctor must be strictly adhered to.
Effects, reasons, and dangers are similar with OTC abuse.

The Way Forward

Pharmacist and other health care providers must let the world know the reason why some drugs were group as OTC. The misconception by most people that these drugs are safer than hard drugs is misleading many into addiction. In addition, the quantity of some addictive actives should be regulated as some pharmacist are claiming that some manufacturing industries are deliberately increasing the quantities. This will make addicts to prefer their products to those with the right amounts. The battle is not just the health care providers alone as parents and guides have a lot to play.

POM is much harder than OTC. That is why they are to be dispensed by a pharmacist with a valid prescription. Doctors should consider the patient's condition before prescribing why the pharmacist should explain how some of them can be addictive when abuse. So many patients fall victim because they were never told it is addictive.

May all hands be on deck to fight this menace.

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