Dr Olisaeloka Lotenna, Public Health Doctor at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Anambra. (NAN)
A medical doctor, Olisaeloka Lotenna, on Saturday advised Nigerians against Over-The-Counter (OTC) purchase of dexamethasone for COVID-19 treatment to a avoid consequences of its abuse or overdose.
According to him, dexamethasone contains steroids, and the side effects of steroid abuse and overdose are varied and potentially deadly.
Lotenna, a public health doctor at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital in Anambra, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka.
He was reacting to the World Health Organisation (WHO) endorsement of dexamethasone as a treatment drug for COVID-19.
NAN reports that WHO, on Wednesday, endorsed dexamethasone as a treatment drug for saving lives of critically ill COVID-19 patients.
The endorsement followed discovery of the steroid in the U.K to have considerably reduced the risk of dying from COVID-19.
Also, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, on Thursday called on frontline clinicians to consider the use of dexamethasone in the treatment of COVID-19 patients across the country.
Lotenna expressed concern that some Nigerians might begin to buy the drug Over-the-Counter and abuse it.
“Please do not buy dexamethasone (a steroid) over the counter just because you feel you have COVID-19 symptoms. The side effects of steroid abuse and overdose are more varied and potentially deadly.
“Most importantly in this context, steroids are known to lower the activity of the immune system.
“If your cough and fever are not caused by COVID-19 but by bacterial pneumonia, the steroid use will prevent your body from fighting back against the infection.
“The infection will then spread through your blood and cause generalised body infection (sepsis) which would probably kill you as fast or even faster than a severe case of COVID-19,’’ he warned.
The physician also identified peptic ulcer, menstrual irregularities, impotence, heart attack, stretch marks and acne, obesity and depression, as other side effects of steroid abuse.
“Another important consideration is that steroids are usually given in low doses even for COVID-19 treatment, and are not abruptly stopped.
“These things are what your ‘roadside chemist’ might not know when he or she is prescribing dexamethasone for you,” he said.
Lotenna also urged Nigerians to desist from taking local concoctions, saying that they usually contained steroids.
According to him, this has skyrocketed the rate at which even young people come down with kidney failure which is another complication of steroid abuse.
“Please, do not joke with dexamethasone and other steroids when you feel you have COVID-19 symptoms.
“Go for test or consult your doctor,’’ Lotenna advised. (NAN)
