Drug misuse is also commonly known as drug abuse. Use of medication not prescribed by a qualified doctor, could in some cases be very hazardous to persons who use them. Some persons merely purchase medication that were suggested by other persons who are perceived to have had similar health condition.
Inappropriate use of drugs is a global problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries.1 Estimate by World Health Organization revealed that more than 50% of all medicines are prescribed, dispensed or sold inappropriately.1 It was further estimated in 2004 that up to 50% of patients fail to take medicines prescribed to them correctly, after seeing the doctor.2
Self-medication could lead to persons taking medication for undiagnosed medical conditions, misuse of antibiotics which could lead to development of resistance strains of pathogenic organisms, and taking wrong and inaccurate doses of medication.
Some patients mount pressure on doctors, especially the young ones; to prescribe certain drugs for them. Occasionally the doctors might consider it harmless to prescribe the drugs for the patients, for limited number of days.
This is definitely wrong. Doctors should be allowed to use their good, professional sense of judgement in taking decision about suitable drug for the patient. It is however important that patients discuss their medication with the doctor, making sure that they understand the dosage and duration of the treatment.
For illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, which could have severe or fatal outcomes if medication pushes their readings so low; the patient must also discuss intervals of monitoring, so that the drug doses could be adjusted timeously.
Abuse of prescription drugs are more dangerous than abuse of over-the-counter drugs. Prescription drugs are those drugs that patients ought not to be able to buy, except they have doctor’s prescription.
This is however frequently flaunted in low- and middle-income countries, where any of such drugs like narcotic analgesics, anxiolytics, sedatives or any class of antibiotics can be purchased without doctor’s prescription. Over-the-counter drugs such as paracetamol and vitamins can usually be purchased without doctor’s prescription.
Narcotic analgesics, stimulants, anxiolytics and sedatives are prescription drugs that are most commonly misused.3 Abuse of prescription drugs could lead to death. Other problems associated with abuse of prescription drugs are;3
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Respiratory depression
- Chronic constipation
- Poor coordination
- False feeling of elation
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Agitation and anxiety
- Paranoia
- Poor sleep
- Aggression
- Irregular heartbeat
Occasionally, people could take expired drugs if they do not check the drug carefully.
Another form of drug misuse that is not usually factored in, is found among some people who seek medical care through Alternative medicine route, such as herbal medication. Herbal medicine can be defined, as the use of plants to treat ill-health.4
Many orthodox medicines are derived from plants, and some are very potent. For this reason, it is very important to take them with caution. An example is seen in the very potent heart drug digitalis, which is derived from foxglove plant.4
Getting appropriate dosage of herbal medicine is usually a problem. So many people end up taking sub-therapeutic doses, or very toxic doses of herbal medicine. So many have died as a result of ingesting excessive doses of herbal medication.
Some herbal medication eventually leads to renal and liver failure.5 Another worrisome dimension to the use of herbal medication is that the producers/vendors frequently claim that the medicine can be used to treat virtually any health condition.
There have been cases where diabetic and hypertensive patients who were doing well on orthodox medication, were convinced to abandon their prescribed medication and use herbal preparations; with the hope of permanently curing those health conditions.
Some are even, merely advised to chew some leaves, fruits, or roots in place of prescribed orthodox medication. In many cases, these practices ended in fatal outcomes.
Interactions with orthodox medicine and other herbal preparations is another aspect of the use of herbal medicine, that one should be aware of. Some herbal medicines can potentiate or inhibit the effect of certain orthodox medicines, while some can cause serious reaction, when taken with some other drugs, including other herbal medicines.
This is contrary to popular belief that herbal medicines are vegetables and fruits; and hence, completely harmless.
The use of herbal medication is mostly unregulated in low- and middle-income countries. Regulating the use of herbal medicine is advocated, since it will enable patients use the preparations safely, and derive the maximum benefit from the medicines.
To live long, healthy and happy life, it is of utmost importance that one avoids drug misuse.
REFERENCES
- https://www.who.int/activities/promoting-rational-use-of-medicines# (Accessed, 20/08/2024)
- World Health Organization. The World Medicines Situation; World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2004
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/symptoms-causes/syc-20376813#
- https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/herbal-medicine
- https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/feb/06/herbal-medicines-can-have-dangerous-side-effects-research-reveals
