Medical advice: Avoid taking drugs prescribed for others with similar illness

A medical expert, Dr Ibrahim Bello, Head of Department, Family Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, on Tuesday  issued a medical advice to Nigerians to desist from taking drugs prescribed for others with similar ailment to avoid causing more harm to their health.

The university Don cautioned that taking drugs without consulting a medical doctor would lead to abuse and even worsen the health condition of a patient.

Bello said there was also the need to sensitise patients against purchasing drugs from medicine stores without prescription from a doctor.

Bello said: “The masses should avoid intake of combined drugs without the prescription of a qualified professionals.

“Some market women are addicted to walking into a chemist shop to buy 10 to 12 different drugs to swallow after the end a workday.

“In the process, they can take expired drug and instead of curing the disease, it will damage the body.”

The medical expert asserted that drugs were not food that people should take anyhow but only when necessary and on the prescription of a professional.

Bello further said that some patients after taking prescribed drugs and did not feel relief should consult the doctor rather than take excess of the drug.

“This can cause bodily harm or death of the person. Taking a drug of an illness for another sickness without the consent of a doctor can end in crisis,’’ he said.

Bello urged Nigerians to avoid combings drugs or abuse to live in good health.

NAN