WHY YOU MUST NOT MISUSE YOUR DRUGS ANY MORE by Pharm. (Dr) Nwako, CNN & Ebirim, Joseph O

Pharm. (Dr.) Nwako, CNN - Chief Pharmacist

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Drug misuse can be defined as the use of a (medicinal) substance for a purpose not consistent with legal or medical guidelines. In other words, drug misuse is the wrong use of a drug for a purpose and in a way different from how it ought to be used at that time.

NIGERIAN COLLEGE STUDENT & ADMAP - UNIPORT CHAIR, BARES HER MIND ON DRUG MISUSE

NOT JUST ABOUT TAKING YOUR MEDICATIONS BUT TAKING THEM VERY WELL - By Chikaodili Ochuba 

Ms. Chikaodili Ochuba 

At one point or the other in life, it becomes expedient for some persons to be given certain medications either for the elimination of a disease, its mitigation or prevention as the case maybe.

HOW A VERY EFFECTIVE PAINKILLER COST A WOMAN HER LONG-SOUGHT PREGNANCY (A TALE OF THE EVILS OF SELF MEDICATION)

[BASED ON A TRUE LIFE STORY]
Engr. Smart was reported to have had a waist pain and headed straight to a nearby chemist to purchase a particular brand of a painkiller which contained DICLOFENAC and MISOPROSTOL. 

WHY HIV CANNOT BE DEFEATED IN NIGERIA BY 2070... - ODUDU AKPAETE

Pharmacist Odudu Akpaete 

A Community Pharmacist, Odudu Akpaete practicing in Akwa Ibom State has lamented the abysmal attitude of some members of the society towards the HIV infection and their health.

CAUSES OF DRUG ADDICTION IN TEENS AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES

- by ABDUSALAM M. UBA

Student Pharmacist

Kano, Nigeria
  +917754040516

No single factor can predict whether or not a person will become addicted to drugs. Risk for addiction is influenced by a person's biology, social environment, and age or stage of development. The more risk factors an individual has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT PHARMACIES KEEP AND DISPENSE POISONS?

Yes, Pharmacies keep and dispense poisons when prescribed for a patient by a recognized and an appropriate prescriber! In addition, Pharmacies have a “Poisons Register” where the “receiver” signs for the poisons he or she receives and the prescription sheets are kept back there for record purposes.

PHARMA-GUIDE DIGEST – 3: TOWARDS ZERO DEATHS DUE TO HEART ATTACKS & CANCER...

On behalf of the Pharma-Guide Nigeria crew, I am very pleased to announce the release of your choice health bulletin and the long awaited edition, the 3rd Edition of Pharma-Guide Digest.

It is the first edition for the year 2016;

"THE AMPICLOX CRAZE" - BEEEEEECHAM? I MEAN, BEEEEEECHAAAM!!!

Community Pharmacists and others who handle and sell drugs in our country can attest to the reality that AMPICLOX is greatly misused in our society. AMPICLOX is the short form for the antibacterial combination, Ampicillin & Cloxacillin.

It is not rare to find someone rush into the shop and request for Ampiclox for whatever reasons.

Ampiclox is misused for so many reasons and in so many ways such as:

For only those who care about staying healthy: 10 WAYS TO COPE WITH THIS HARSH DRY WEATHER

There is no doubt about the hazardous nature of the dry harsh weather of  the Harmattan season. This season which often starts from the last two months of the year right up to January and beyond brings an unusual feeling of dehydration to the body, dustiness to the surroundings and consequently increased manifestations of bacterial and viral infections such as Conjunctivitis, flu, rhinitis and other respiratory tract infections, gastroenteritis, etc.

[MEDITATION TIME] GOOD PRACTICES TO STAY HEALTHY AND HAPPY

The saying that prevention is better than cure is one I can describe as ageless, and often at times, I have been tempted to add that prevention is cheaper than cure. This is true because not only do we spend resources to treat avoidable diseases, resources which could have been used for better ventures, we also incur increasing wear and tear on our body systems.

[WOMEN'S HEALTH] EVER EXPERIENCED SCANTY MENSTRUAL FLOW? WORRY LESS, KNOW THE FACTS!

An abnormally light menstrual blood flow. It is also known as hypomenorrhoea. It can occur normally especially if the experience runs through genetic lines.

Pregnancy is not prevented by this kind of flow

Causes:

• Genetics
• Side effects of hormonal contraception methods like oral pills, IUDs, hormonal implants -  the relatively low estrogen in this contraceptives reduces the growth of endometrium hence there is little to shed during menstruation
• Age: early in puberty and just before menopause – endometrial lining isn’t developing normally
•  Low thyroid hormone level, high prolactin level, high insulin level, high androgen level and problems with some hormones can cause anovulation and also lead to scanty flow.
• Asherman’s syndrome (intrauterine adhesions)
•  Plastic operation of the uterine or myomectomy
• Emotional and Nervous factors such as stressful periods and excitement and anxiety over some expectations and events can lead to low production of estrogen and progesterone
• Low body fat due to excessive exercise and crash dieting

Diagnostic approaches include:

• Blood tests to ascertain levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Leutinizing Hormone (LH), estrogen, insulin, prolactin. Insulin and androgen levels are high in polycystic ovarian syndrome
• Ultra sonogram (also known as scan) – to ascertain the thickness of the endometrium, size of the ovaries, growth of follicles, to determine ovulation as well as other abnormalities.
• Dilation and Curretage (D & C) and MRI scans may sometimes be needed to help detect other possible causes of scanty flow

 TREATMENT: 

See your Doctor for proper assessment and diagnosis.

REFERENCES

1. everydayhealth.com (image)
2. gynaeonline.com
3. wikipedia.com

JUST IN CASE YOU DID NOT GET THE HARD COPY, HERE IT IS - PHARMA-GUIDE DIGEST 1

To our esteemed readers and friends, because we would like everyone to read what we have put together, we are glad to now present to you copies of the premier edition of our bulletin, Pharma-Guide Digest.

Kindly zoom the pictures for better viewing. Feel free to share with friends. We would be glad to hear from you. 

You can View Full Size and download clearer pictures by visiting our Facebook page. Simply click "HERE"

Have a pleasant time...

WHEN PARACETAMOL TURNS FOE...

When it comes to drugs, Paracetamol is a house hold name. It is an analgesic (pain-killer) and an antipyretic (reduces elevated body temperature/fever) and with very weak anti-inflammatory activity. It is an over-the-counter medicine meaning it can be bought without need of a prescription. It comes mainly in 500mg round or oval tablets sold as paracetamol by Emzor, May & Baker, and as Panadol by Glaxo Smithkline (GSK). Other companies market this drug with other brand names. To know what a drug contains, check the park or the blister sachets for a section where you see an inscription about contents.
Paracetamol is generally safe for use in most people. Even in pregnancy, no causal relationship has linked paracetamol to any foetal danger. It does not cause or worsen stomach ulcers as with some Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen, Piroxicam, etc neither does it contain substances such as misoprostol which can hurt the unborn being in the womb (foetus) but protects the stomach from irritations when combined with diclofenac (as in Misoprostol).
An average adult takes about 1000mg three to four times daily for treatment of headache and fever and children may take less. An adult must not take more than 4grams (4000mg) in 24 hours. Your doctor will tell you how much of paracetamol to take. It is wise and advisable to report back to your doctor or pharmacist if you feel paracetamol isn’t good for you as two people do not always respond to a medicine the same way. Also should you have any questions about your medications, a pharmacist is professionally trained to and will be ready to attend to you. At Pharma-Guide Digest, we are always willing to attend to your queries.

As a rule, do not obtain drug information from friends and hear say and do not broadcast messages about health and medicines without personally verifying about such from professionals.

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POSIONING THROUGH OVER-DOSAGE

When paracetamol is taken, it is metabolized into toxic and non-toxic by products but the toxic product is usually produced in small amounts and detoxified (neutralized) by the liver almost immediately too. However, in the case of overdose, the liver becomes overwhelmed and, the toxic by-product, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI) causes severe damage to the liver. This effect is seen within 3-4days and may lead to very serious liver failure within days after the overdose. The liver organ is very crucial and plays important roles in the well-being of the human system and when it fails, the kidney doesn’t last so long thereafter.

PARACETAMOL AND ALCOHOL

Although, there are conflicting reports about alcohol inducing microsomal enzymes which may cause the production of toxic by-products of paracetamol when consumed together, it is advisable not to combine both products in order to be on the safe side.

CREDITS:
Wikipedia.com
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Emdex (2014-2015 Edition)