Drug is a
chemical substance which is derived from plant, animal or mineral
resources(synthetic) which can be used in the prevention, diagnosis and
treatment of
diseases in plant and animal. It can also be defined as a chemical
substance which causes a change in physiological function of the body.
Drug a
potential poison if not administered properly it can have a very harmful effect
on the person taken it and as such it should be handled by a qualified health
personnel
Here is list
of 6 most commonly abused drugs in Africa
1 PARACETAMOL
(ACETAMINOPHEN)
Paracetamol is
an analgesic drug which is used in treatment of mild to moderate pain .It also
has antipyretic properties(ability to reduce fever). Paracetamol is an over the
counter drug (OTC) and the most commonly used analgesic all over the world.
The normal
adult dose of Paracetamol should not exceed 4 gram in a day and it should be
taken just for 3 days. The Paracetamol overdose can cause severe liver damage
that is the reason care must be taken when handling it,but unfortunately people
take Paracetamol just anyhow even where there is no need of taking it.
2 Marijuana
Marijuana is
one of the most commonly used illicit drug in the world.. In Africa today
millions of youth between the ages of 16 to 36 years smoke Marijuana. It is
addictive and also has harmful effect on the brain such as decreased in mental
ability for those who started as teenagers and other effect such as dry mouth,
red eyes, paranoia and anxiety.
3 Tramadol
Tramadol is a
weak narcotic analgesic which is used in the treatment of mild to severe
pain.Most youths today use tramadol as an aphrodisiac (that is a drug that
increases libido) , making it as one of the most abused drug today in Africa.
4
Heroines/Cocaine and other Narcotics
Narcotic
analgesics are commonly used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain
especially in terminally ill patients. Narcotics are highly addictive because
they change the chemistry of the brain: they decrease the perception of the
pain and alter body’s reaction to pain. when taken, the body create less
endorphins because the effect of narcotics are so much more intense than those
of endorphins.
People take
narcotics for the ability to reduce pain, create relaxation and for immediate
euphoric effect. Narcotics should be discouraged except for clinical use and
those who are indulging in taking it should be encouraged to go for drug
rehabilitation.
5 Dexametasone
Dexametasone
is a corticosteroid which is used in the treatment of many conditions such as
rheumatoid problems, severe allergies, skin diseases, asthma and chronic
obstructive lung diseases.
Most youth
today ignorantly use dexametasone for the purpose of adding weight but
unfortunately dexametasone causes d retention in sodium in d body which brings
about d accumulation of fluid and this can result in some disease conditions
such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and some other disease conditions.
6 Non Steroidal
Anti- Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS)
These includes
diclofenac, ibuprofen, piroxicam, naproxen, teloxicam etc . This class of drug
has three properties namely analgesic, anti inflammatory and anti-pyretic
properties. They are commonly used for disease conditions such as arthritis,
osteoarthritis, dysmenorrhea(painful menstruation) etc. NSAIDS are one of the
most abused drugs in Africa because of easy accessibity.
NSAIDS should
be used with caution because of various adverse effects such as ulceration
heart problem such as myocardial infarction and kidney problems.
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