Nigerians consume too much paracetamol

But, we also see adverts on brands of paracetamol (acetaminophen) which tell you they are for treating “fever, chills and aches,” ending with “if symptoms persist after three days, consult a doctor.” That is as dangerous as a statement can be! In studies on self-medication in Nigeria, analgesics, where paracetamol belongs, rank among the most […]

But, we also see adverts on brands of paracetamol (acetaminophen) which tell you they are for treating “fever, chills and aches,” ending with “if symptoms persist after three days, consult a doctor.” That is as dangerous as a statement can be!
In studies on self-medication in Nigeria, analgesics, where paracetamol belongs, rank among the most abused.   Some of them have Extra after their names to mean they also have caffeine. Chronic usage of paracetamol especially in high doses can damage the liver. Little wonder there has been an increase in liver disease.
If there is an obvious cause of body ache, or you were involved in exercise, some strenuous work or you have minor sprain or some similar things, or a child has fever after immunisation, the analgesic and antipyretic effects of paracetamol may be enough. But certainly not when there is a fever which cannot be explained, occurring alone, or in association with other symptoms.  
The wait for three or five days for the usage of paracetamol when there is fever is usually based on what obtains in some Western countries where the most common cause of fever is a virus, which is often self-limiting. But in Nigeria it is not a virus. It is malaria or some infection.
I laugh when I see a dubious commercial where the individual is sweating, feverish, with chills and rigour, and pops two tablets of paracetamol and “everything” is “gone,” the person is back to “work”, back to “normal life.” Such a fraud!
 You have heard of the child whose mother has been giving him or her “teething medicine” which of course has paracetamol and dyphenhydramine, but ends up being admitted in the hospital. Or the fellow who has been on paracetamol for his fever for days because it is “stress oh,” but ends up in the hospital ward, with exhaustion. Many have been using paracetamol for a headache that won’t go, only to die of stroke because they had been suffering from hypertension that was not detected, all because they wouldn’t seek medical help early. Another person had been using paracetamol for “a long time”, for a so-called nagging headache. It was after a lot of persuasion that they sought proper medical help, and it turned out the person needed eye glasses. And since they have been using the glasses the headache has not come back. But imagine all the load of paracetamol to the liver!
From a Nigerian perspective perhaps it is even more ominous for the individual if the paracetamol controls the fever! Then, the individual tends to relax, and not taking further action. It is perhaps better for the individual if the paracetamol does not control the fever.  Paradoxically this is where fake drugs may save lives! Because in this situation, anyone who loves their health will seek medical care if their fever persist.
To those who are marketing parace-tamol, please every advert on any brand of paracetamol must end with “after you have taken the drug go immediately to see a doctor!” This is particularly so with those with fever, and especially in children.
For you who use paracetamol, be wary of commercials on brands of paracetamol! I cannot over emphasise by saying paracetamol only suppresses fever, while a definitive action is to be taken.  A word is enough for the foolish, how much more the wise!

Dr Cosmas Odoemena, Lagos <[email protected]>;