Today we'll be taking about a few things about analgesics.
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Analgesics are also "pain relievers' or 'painkillers'.
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These help to combat fever, pain and inflammation.
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They are often in treating fever, headaches and several conditions that involve pain such as arthritis, sprains, cancer, etc.
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Examples include:
1. Paracetamol / Acetaminophen
2. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) e.g. Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Piroxicam, Aspirin, Meloxicam, Ketoprofen, etc.
3. Opioid Analgesics such as Codeine, Morphine, Pentazocine, Fentanyl, Tramadol, etc.
Generally, many analgesics are available as over-the-counter medications (except the opioids because they are extremely controlled), so they have tendency to get abused very easily.
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Some side effects of these painkillers include:
1. Gastric ulceration which may lead to peptic ulcer disease and other gastrointestinal disorders. Often the NSAIDs are the major culprit in this.
2. Liver damage.
For example, Paracetamol overdose can lead to this.
3. Kidney damage
NSAIDs can cause kidney damage and it can get worse when used with other kidney damaging drugs.
4. Bleeding
5. Addiction
Opioids are liable to this.
6. Respiratory depression.
7. Skin reactions and allergies in some cases
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When you take a pain reliever, make sure you do the following.
1. Eat some food before taking them.
2. Speak to your pharmacist before taking painkillers.
3. Only use them for a short time except when recommended by a doctor.
4. Don't self medicate as much as possible.
5. Use the recommended amount e.g. an adult using 3 tablets of Paracetamol 500mg instead of 2.
6. Don't mix them or take them with alcohol.
7. Try to get much rest as possible because that headache can sometimes mean that you need to rest.
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Always speak to a pharmacist before taking any medications.
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I'm @HealthySaddle and I'll see you next time.
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#HealthySaddle #healthy #healthylifestyle
#medicines #drugs #healthiswe
I know you have so many multivitamins that you are using at home.
Yes, I'm talking about you specifically.
The person reading this post.. You!
Multivitamins or supplements are often used to support or #supplement or augment the deficiencies or inadequacies of the food we eat so that we can be more healthy.
I know you have all those #multivitamins for the joints, hair, skin, nails, immunity, vision, bones, etc.
You also have that blood tonic and blood purifier too.
Some of you have up to ten bottles of different combinations of supplements.
You think they are harmless because they're just supplements.
Well, let me tell you.
Supplements that are not used correctly can be dangerous for you!
A lot of these supplements may contain the same amount of ingredients that may be toxic in high amounts when used cumulatively.
Let me give you an example.
If you have 10 different supplements that contain a particular amount of Vitamin D, iron or any other particular nutrient and they are used together, it means you may be getting too much of it and it may harm you.
Every nutrient has a daily recommended amount that should be adhered to.
Some multivitamins may even interact with other drugs you are taking.
That is why you should always speak to a pharmacist so that you can use your medications correctly and determine what is safe for you to use.
Watch this space to not miss out on important information about your health.
I'm @HealthySaddle and I'll see you next time.
#HealthySaddle #healthy #healthylifestyle
#medicines #drugs #healthiswealth #healthinfluencer #healthinformation #drughealth #askthepharmacist #pharmacist
In the previous post, we discussed some of the impacts of using alcohol with drugs. Today we'll be continuing that.
(Check the previous post if you haven't read it)
No drug should be taken with alcohol. The best liquid to take with drugs is water except otherwise stated.
However, there are certain drugs that have more pronounced side effects or toxicity with alcohol.
Some of these drugs include:
- Some antibiotics such as Metronidazole (flagyl), Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, isoniazid, nitrofurantoin, etc.
- Pain relievers such as Paracetamol, NSAIDs (such as Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Piroxicam, Mefenamic acid, etc) and opioid analgesics (such as Tramadol, Codeine, Tramadol), etc
- Antianxiety medications such as diazepam, bromazepam, etc
- Any antidepressants and mood stabilizers e.g. fluoxetine, imipramine, etc;
- Antipsychotic medications
- Antiepileptic drugs
- ADHD medications
- Antihypertensives
- Antianginal drugs
- Antidiabetic medications
- Anticoagulants, etc
- Drugs used in erectile dysfunction such as viagra
- Illicit drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, etc. (These drugs should even be avoided completely.)
- Medications used for cold and catarrh such as actified, procold, cough medicines, piriton, promethazine, etc.
- Cholesterol lowering medications such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, etc.
No drug should be taken with alcohol at all, irrespective of what is written in the above list because drugs affected by alcohol are not limited to this list.
Never be tempted to do it. You might regret it. Remember, all drugs are potential poisons. Till next time, stay healthy and safe.
Watch this space to not miss out on important information about your health.
I'm @HealthySaddle and I'll see you next time.
#HealthySaddle #healthy #healthylifestyle
#medicines #drugs #healthiswealth #healthinfluencer #healthinformation #drughealth #askthepharmacist #pharmacist#HealthySaddle #healthy #healthylifestyle
#medicines #drugs #
Today we'd be talking about drugs that can be affected by alcohol.
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Quite a significant population of Nigerians take alcohol in varying forms and amounts.
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Some would take alcoholic wines and beverages, some take dry gin in small bottles or in sachets. Notwithstanding, people take alcohol.
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A lot of these people are on various forms of medications ranging from analgesics for pain, antibiotics, to drugs required for chronic illnesses such as antidepressants, antihypertensives and antidiabetic medications.
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Some of these people take some form of alcohol with or while on their medications which is very wrong.
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Imagine alcohol being dangerous on it's own and combined with something more dangerous. It is synonymous to the popular idiomatic saying that, from the frying pan into the fire.
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Some consequences of taking alcohol during drug therapy include:
• Reduced effectiveness and increased toxicity as a result. Alcohol with drugs can increase the risk of liver damage, lead to therapeutic failure, etc. It may also affect other organs such as the kidneys, heart, brain, lungs, etc.
• Increase in the incidence of side or adverse effects that may result from it. Some drugs cause some serious side effects such as liver problems, a disulfiram-like reaction which is characterized by increased in sedation, possible risk of becoming unconscious, dizziness, weakness, extreme fatigue, death, etc.
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Alcohol with drugs may also cause new symptoms that weren't initially there.
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Watch this space to not miss out on important information about your health.
We will be continuing this topic in the next post.
I'm @HealthySaddle and I'll see you next time.
#HealthySaddle #healthy #healthylifestyle
#medicines #drugs #healthiswealth #healthinfluencer #healthinformation #drughealth #askthepharmacist #pharmacist
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In our previous discussion we stressed on the importance of the kidneys.
We further mentioned some drugs that can affect the kidneys.
If you haven't seen the previous post, ensure you check that up before reading this one.
In this post, we'll further discuss more of these drugs which are as follows:
4. Antibiotics
Long term abuse of antibiotics can lead to kidney problems. Always use antibiotics with a prescription from a medical doctor and also don’t use antibiotics to treat what they are not meant for.
Examples of some of such antibiotics are the aminoglycosides (e.g. tobramycin, amikacin, gentamicin, etc), cephalosporins, Vancomycin, etc.
Sulphonamides such as Co-trimoxazole (Septrin®) can also affect the kidneys.
5. Some antihypertensives
Although certain classes of these drugs are good for your kidneys, they need to be used with caution in patients with kidney problems.
They should be started at the lowest effective dose and only on the order of a doctor or physician.
6. Some antiulcer medications
7. Herbal Supplements that haven’t been certified to be certified to be effective and safe. Even those that are certified should be used with caution!
This list only represents a few of these drugs because there are many more.
Most of these drugs cause kidney issues by a few mechanisms, some of which are:
- Affecting the cells responsible for filtration.
- Causing crystalluria which means the formation of insoluble crystals in the urine which block the passage of urine.
- Constricting or narrowing blood vessels which lead to reduced blood flow to the kidneys.
- Reducing hydration to the kidneys.
- Causing kidney swelling and inflammation.
- Raising blood pressure and blood glucose which then destroys the cells of the kidneys, etc.
Watch this space for more on this topic for continuation on this subject as we will discussing ways to prevent kidney damage.
Ensure you follow me for more.
I'm @healthysaddle and I'll see you next time.
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#p
If you ever tried to find out the cost of a kidney transplant, you would realize how important or how vital the kidneys are!
The kidneys are unarguably one of the most important organs in the body and carry out various functions.
They help to balance fluids and electrolytes (e.g. sodium, calcium, potassium ions, etc) in the body by regulating their re-absorption and excretion through urine. In this process, it helps to filter the blood of various toxins.
You’d often see that people that have kidney issues requires frequently to solve this problem.
The kidney is important in the control of blood pressure, production of red blood cells (by producing its precursor, and formation of vitamin D.
You can see for yourself how important the kidneys are.
When the kidneys become damaged due to various factors such as disease (e.g. prolong diabetes & hypertension), drug abuse, alcohol and smoking, etc, a lot of things can go wrong in the body. This can lead to various health and cost implications.
As previously mentioned, drug abuse (or misuse) can destroy the kidneys in the long run. Some of these drugs popularly abused include:
1. Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
This is a group of effective drugs which includes Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Ketoprofen, Piroxicam, Naproxen, etc
These drugs very useful in the management of various forms of pain and inflammation.
These should not be used for long periods of time without a doctor's prescription.
It's the over usage and prolonged usage of these drugs that lead to kidney damage.
2. Illegal drugs
These include heroin, cocaine, tobacco, amphetamine, etc.
3. Alcohol
Watch this space for more on this topic for continuation on this subject.
Ensure you follow me for more.
I'm @healthysaddle and I'll see you next time.
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#pharmacist #health #drugs #drugabuse #antibiotics #kidney #hypertension #alcohol #askthepharmacist #medicines
Many people frequently have digestive issues ranging from inability to pass stools, diarrhoea, indigestion, bloating, etc. But however, a number of supplements and drugs can be helpful for some of these problems.
Some of these include:
1. Psyllium husks
One fantastic way of easing constipation by incorporating fibre into one's diet is the use of Psyllium husks powder or capsules.
It prevents constipation by absorbing water to the stool to allow its easy passage out of the body and reducing intestinal toxins as well.
2. Gestomil
This is an enzyme combination that helps to breakdown food in the gut.
3. Probiotic supplements.
These include beneficial bacteria that protect the gut from harmful bacteria and maintain digestive system health and functioning e.g preparations containing Lactobacillus spp.
They are often use to treat diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel syndrome and other gut issues.
4. Antacids
These are alkaline preparations that help reducing symptoms of peptic ulcer, flatulence, bloating, heartburn, etc. They often contain anti bloating agents such as simethicone and other bases that neutralise stomach acids.
5. B vitamins
These help in metabolism and normal body functioning. Some of these vitamins include vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12 and Biotin.
6. Vitamin D
A powerful antioxidant and lipid soluble vitamin that improve proper chewing and smooth muscle functioning of the gut by improving calcium absorption. It is also associated with low risk of colon cancer.
7. Vitamin C
A strong antioxidant and water soluble vitamin that helps in the digestion process by supporting development of healthy teeth and gums (allowing for proper food chewing) and improves iron absorption.
Your digestive health is important because that's where a lot of your nutrients pass through to get to other parts of the body. Take care of it well. See a pharmacist before you use any medications.
Watch this space to not miss out on important information about your health.
One way people gain weight is using drugs for their weight gain side effects as we established in the previous post
(check it out if you haven't done that before you continue reading this post)
One common drug used for the purpose is dexamethasone belonging to a class of drugs called corticosteroids.
You might know this drug as 'yodi', 'yokebe', xasten, etc, in Nigeria.
This prescription medicine is used for allergies and immune system reactions.
This drug has so many side effects that one of it includes gaining weight and this is why a lot of people abuse it.
Cheap access to it in Nigeria also makes it prone to abuse.
Most other corticosteroids also have these side effects.
But if you're thinking that you're doing good for yourself by taking this drug for weight gain, let's go over the side effects and reevaluate the benefits for using this drug for weight gain..
Some of these long term side effects include:
- Your blood sugar going up
- Bleached skin that easily gets wounded and wounds don't heal on time.
- Your body might not be able to fight infections well.
- You can get ulcers more easy especially when you also abuse other drugs like some painkillers.
- Your blood pressure and cholesterol going up
- Weight gain and obesity
This is just a few of its side effects. Looking at this these side effects, you won't even want to take it ever again.
All drugs have side effects and it is best you talk to a pharmacist or a medical doctor before you use any of them.
Watch this space to not miss out on important information about your health.
I'm @HealthySaddle and I'll see you next time.
#HealthySaddle #healthy #healthylifestyle
#medicines #drugs #healthiswealth #healthinfluencer #healthinformation #drughealth #askthepharmacist #pharmacist
The last time I was here, we talked about reasons why you should take care of your health (you can check it out if you haven't seen it yet).
We are here to talk about the 'how'. I'll be sharing five tips today.
1. Eat healthy.
Moderate the carbs and unsaturated fats. Avoid saturated fats.
More veggies and fruits and protein foods.
Drink enough water everyday and cut out junk food and fizzy drinks.
Reduce the excess sugar and salt.
Eat moderate amounts of food. Don't be a glutton.
2. Do some exercise.
Opt to walk those short distances instead of bikes everytime.
3. Keep relationships intact with your friends and family.
They're the only support that may be available in hard times.
4. Avoid risky behaviors.
Smoking, alcohol, unprotected sex, having multiple sexual partners, etc.
These are risk factors for so many diseases that exists.
5. Be positive and keep positive people around. You don't need excess toxicity and negativity. It will help strengthen your mental health and boost your confidence & self-esteem.
In the next post, I'll be sharing more tips with you.
Ensure you follow me not to miss out on these very vital tips.
I'm @healthysaddle and I'll see you next time.
#HealthySaddle #healthy #healthylifestyle
#medicines #drugs #healthiswealth #healthinfluencer #healthinformation #drughealth #askthepharmacist #pharmacistadvice
Many people gain weight because of a ton of reasons.
Some women want to have big boobs and ass to look more appealing.
Some men too aren't left out in this travail of gaining weight, searching for muscles.
However, while there are many healthy ways to gain weight such as combining the right diet & using of effective nutritional supplements, there are a lot of people that go through the 'quick weight gain' route and it is often unhealthy.
Not matter what anyone tells you, weight gain is a gradual process. You can't gain massive weight overnight, as many people wish to believe.
However, some people because of what they been exposed to, they often go to a point of no return.
They go as much as using prescription drugs for their side effects that cause weight gain.
Little did they know that it's not only weight gain that is their side effect.
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Watch this space for the continuation of this point.
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Ensure your follow me not to miss out on this vital article.
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I'm @HealthySaddle and I'll see you next time.
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#HealthySaddle #healthy #healthylifestyle
#medicines #drugs #healthiswealth #healthinfluencer #healthinformation #drughealth #askthepharmacist #pharmacist
Today will be the final post on this topic.
In the last two posts (check them out if you haven't), we have been discussing on ways to take care of our health.
So we have more ways to do this here:
6. Always pray to God. He's the bestower of good all-round health. This will also strengthen your spiritual health.
7. Keep your weight down. Your body mass index (BMI) should be less than 25. Obesity is a risk factor for diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, etc. Don't intentionally become obese by overlooking factors you can control. It will tell on you later.
8. Be tidy. Have a good personal, food and sanitary hygiene. It will help you prevent things like food poisoning, typhoid fever, etc. Always wash your hands after any activity.
9. Keep away from triggers of allergic reactions.
10. Abstain from self medication, drug abuse and unlicensed herbal use. These are things that can cause problems such as kidney and multiple organ failure.
11. Take your medications if diagnosed of any medical condition. Be it hypertension, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, etc, you should always take your medication to ensure you help yourself and your family.
12. Always see a doctor when you're not feeling well. Make it a habit to go for medical checkups before things escalate.
13. Read books. Good books. This will help your intellectual, social, moral, mental and spiritual health.
That's all I can say for now. There are many more ways on how to take care of your health. Ask the right people or professionals for help. You'll be glad to be a better person when you take care of your health.💯
I'm @healthysaddle and I'll see you next time.
Follow my profile for more health tips.
#HealthySaddle #healthy #healthylifestyle
#medicines #drugs #healthiswealth #healthinfluencer #healthinformation #drughealth #askthepharmacist #pharmacist
We all know health is wealth.
The Yorubas would say 'ilera loro'.
If you're not in good health, how would you be okay enough to work hard and make the kind of money you wish to make?
Lack of good health is a distraction from our daily activities.
Here are reasons why you should take care of your health.
1. You'll reduce your chances of getting chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, peptic ulcer, etc
2. You'll help the people in your life.
They can worry less about you and they also get to spend money on more productive things.
You also prevent yourself from being a burden to them.
Imagine a mother having to go in and out of the hospital because of her continuously ailing child!
3. You help the government to reduce it's revenue on battling certain aspects of healthcare and let the money be used to fund more issues.
Imagine if instead of being a regular visitor of hospitals for prolonged periods of time, more people actually get sponsorship to be enrolled in school.
4. Taking care of your health makes you more productive.
You have more time to do things instead of lazing around on the bed or couch because you're sick.
You'd increase the collective productivity of the society where you're well.
5. You increase your life expectancy by taking care of your health.
6. You reduce the amount of money you spend on your health.
The list is endless......
It is not enough to tell you to take care of your health but how to.
Watch this space on how to take care of your health.
Follow me and like my posts for more.
I'm @healthysaddle and I'll see you next time.
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#HealthySaddle #healthy #healthylifestyle
#medicines #drugs #healthiswealth #healthinfluencer #healthinformation #drughealth #askthepharmacist #pharmacist
The last time I was here, we talked about reasons why you should take care of your health (you can check it out if you haven't seen it yet).
We are here to talk about the 'how'. I'll be sharing five tips today.
1. Eat healthy.
Moderate the carbs and unsaturated fats. Avoid saturated fats.
More veggies and fruits and protein foods.
Drink enough water everyday and cut out junk food and fizzy drinks.
Reduce the excess sugar and salt.
Eat moderate amounts of food. Don't be a glutton.
2. Do some exercise.
Opt to walk those short distances instead of bikes everytime.
3. Keep relationships intact with your friends and family.
They're the only support that may be available in hard times.
4. Avoid risky behaviors.
Smoking, alcohol, unprotected sex, having multiple sexual partners, etc.
These are risk factors for so many diseases that exists.
5. Be positive and keep positive people around. You don't need excess toxicity and negativity. It will help strengthen your mental health and boost your confidence & self-esteem.
In the next post, I'll be sharing more tips with you.
Ensure you follow me not to miss out on these very vital tips.
I'm @healthysaddle and I'll see you next time.
#HealthySaddle #healthy #healthylifestyle
#medicines #drugs #healthiswealth #healthinfluencer #healthinformation #drughealth #askthepharmacist #pharmacist
