One of the drugs wreaking havoc on youths today is Tramadol. Ordinarily, it is produced to treat and sooth severe pains. Regrettably, it has become many youths’ first choice of getting high.
Tramadol Abuse in Nigeria has its roots youths’ belief that it could enable them cope with socio-economic challenges which is false. It is like a case of a drunk who believes drinking would end his problem. A false hope.
HUNGER
Do you know, why taking of tramadol has become fashionable on the campus and among youths. Even among those you think know the implication of its Abuse? Some youths knows that taking overdose of tramadol is dangerous. They know that it’s a scary drug, but when their friends indulge in it, they could be lured to buy into the habit for an untenable reason. Frequently bombarded by friends about how tramadol could help them stay without food for long hours, they too decide to try the adventure and they get hooked.
Do you know that Tramadol Abuse is necessitated by the desire to quench hunger? It is generally believed that if you drink 200mg, you would have strength to suppress hunger from morning till the evening without much trouble.
This is one of the false reasons. The strength from the abuse is transient. Many are still hooked on the pills for the same reason, after all this is Nigeria and hunger is a common situation.
SEX DRIVE
Another reason for tramadol abuse in Nigeria is the belief that it reinforce sex drive and that is a huge temptation among boys
It is generally believed that, if taken hours before sex, it makes porn stars as out of them. Sex is regarded a proof of manhood, and ability to have one round is their priority when divided, it can easily measure to an average male three marathon sex and that desire is craved by many. . In fact this is the biggest reason for tramadol abuse in Nigeria at the moment.
THE ALTERED STATE
Many Nigerians want to escape the reality. They want to zone of into realm of revelry and escape the scary reality in the country. Many believe life is difficult, tough and tramadol promises a momentary relief. Regrettably they later find out that their belief is a false hope. On the part of the authorities.
Some states are already making laws to frustrate selling and distribution of tramadol, but how this deadly drug is still finding its way to the nooks and crannies of the country remains a mystery till date.
What YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRAMADOL
You should not take tramadol if you have difficulty in breathing. A blockage of your respiratory and digestive organs could be dangerous to your health. Taking Tramadol after taking alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, narcotic medication, or an MAO inhibitor (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and other could pose health challenge.
Tramadol could slow down or stop your breathing, and may turn you into an addict. Misuse of Tramadol could lead to Addiction, Or Cause Death, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a doctor’s prescription.
Tramadol should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old. Ultram ER should not be given to anyone below18 years.
Taking tramadol during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn baby. Fatal side effects could occur if you use it with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow down your breathing.
You should not take tramadol if you are allergic to it, or if you have: severe asthma or breathing problems; a blockage in your stomach or intestines; if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or narcotic medications.
Tramadol should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years old who recently had surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids. Avoid giving tramadol to children between 12 to 18 years, who is suspected of having breathing problems.
Seizures have occurred in some people taking tramadol. Talk with your doctor about your seizure’s risk, which may be higher if you have earlier had: a head injury, epilepsy or other seizure disorder; drug or alcohol addiction; a metabolic disorder; or if you also use certain antibiotics, antifungal medications, heart or blood pressure medications, or medicines that treat HIV or AIDS.
If you use tramadol while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after its birth. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Do not breast-feed while taking tramadol as it could pass into breast milk and cause drowsiness, breathing problems, or death in a nursing baby. To make sure tramadol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had: liver or kidney disease; a stomach disorder; or mental illness, or suicide attempt.
HOW SHOULD ONE TAKE TRAMADOL?
Take tramadol exactly as prescribed by qualified medical doctors . Follow all directions on your prescription label. Tramadol could slow down or completely stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take tramadol in larger dosage , or for a longer period than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pains.
Tramadol may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share your medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Misuse Of Pain Medication Can Cause Addiction, Overdose, Or Death, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without following a doctor’s prescription. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Stop taking all other round-the-clock narcotic pain medications when you start taking tramadol.
It could be taken with or without food, but take it the same way each time you are using it
Do not crush, break, or open an extended-release tablet or capsule (Conzip, Ultram ER). Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose.
Never crush or break a tablet inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death.
If you use the tramadol extended-release tablet, the tablet shell may pass into your stools (bowel movements). This is normal and does not mean that you are not receiving enough of the medicine.
Do not stop using the medicine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using it.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of your medicine. Tramadol is a drug prone to abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Do not keep leftover of the drug. Just one dose can cause death in someone using the medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal programme. If there is no take-back program, flush the unused medicine down the toilet.
-Sunday Adigun
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