Drug Cocktails' Misuse ? - What YOU should Know
The death of Senator Adetunji Adeleke of Osun State recently has raised fresh concerns about health care quality in Nigeria. We don't know what really happened in this case (and this is not an attempt to support needless speculation), but if his death was associated with drugs administered, then a lot of questions must be asked regarding Medication Safety.
Here's a quote from a media outlet (unverified) in respect to his death:
"FLASH: Quack intravenously gave Senator Adeleke 40mg of Valium, Pentazocine, Hydrocortisone, Gentamicin & Analgin in 5% dextrose saline sol" This story is of course creating significant interest because it involves a high profile individual.
The question that worries me the most is:
How many times are ordinary people receiving drug cocktails like this with similar outcomes but it goes quietly unchecked?
And what do ordinary Nigerians - i.e. people not in the medical / science fields -really know about the effects of the medication they use - whether prescribed by a doctor or self purchased from the chemist? There is need to hold Health workers accountable (doctors, nurses, lab scientists etc) - in order to make medical negligence or drug errors events that should be avoided at ALL costs whether in a village PHC (primary health center) or the highest brow clinic in the FCT.
My aim here is not to entertain speculation on what happened with the late senator. What is the effect of a cocktail as described above and what could these drugs do?
Why should a patient require these medicines administered in an infusion?
1. Valium is a powerful drug that makes you very relaxed/drowsy: in high doses can affect the area in the brain which controls breathing and cause serious side effects and death. Yes-Valium that we buy as we like in some 🇳🇬chemists. 2. Pentazocine is a very strong pain killer (way beyond the level of paracetamol). This too can have an effect on the breathing center in the brain (apart from possible effects on the heart, kidneys or other organs). 3. Hydrocortisone is a steroid drug which is used for a wide number of reasons - asthma, allergy, emergency resuscitation, joint problems etc 4. Gentamicin is an antibiotic 5. Analgin is a pain killer used for moderate pain in a wide variety of conditions - this drug has been banned in some parts of the world for its side effects though I don't know its current Naija status. So that's what the drugs are.
In combination, the effect could vary from one individual to another.
But please remember when it comes to medication and your health:
1. Your Doctor should give you the explanation for why you are being given any particular medicine - you shouldn't beg for that information. 2. Your Doctor should ask about your allergy status before giving you any medicine. 3. Your Doctor should discuss with you possible side effects of any drug you are prescribed so you are prepared. If they don't - YOU ask: any side effects I should know? If you forget to ask - READ the leaflet that comes with the drug. 4. Your Doctor's job is to know that certain drugs affect older people differently because their heart or liver or kidneys may be damaged or functioning at reduced capacity and therefore adjust the dose of the drug. 5. Individuals should also take responsibility for the drugs they buy from the chemist. They have side effects and may not agree with you. Read medication leaflets. Ask about possible effects on your specific history. Concluding my thoughts - we need to move towards Nigerian health care that is focused on the Patient as key; minimising errors that can cause harm and informing people of their rights in healthcare.
Stay Well.
Editing by AskAwayHealth Team Disclaimer All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising Medical Practitioners on a wide range of health care conditions to provide evidence based guidance and to help promote quality health care. The advice in our material is not meant to replace management of your specific condition by a qualified health care practitioner. To discuss your condition, please contact a health practitioner or reach us directly through info@askawayhealth.org
