Analgesics have silently emerged to be among the most abused categories of drugs all over the world. What was initially a time-saving habit of seeking a quick fix has grown to be a harmful addiction trend, involving millions of persons in countries and ages. These drugs including prescription and over-the-counter are easily available, and thus, pain relief has become a habit instead of a necessity.
The increased use of NSAID, opioids, and combination analgesics is currently developing into an international epidemic. Uncoordinated and dangerous use is on the increase resulting in increased cases of renal damage, hepatic toxicity, abdominal hemorrhage, addiction, and tolerance. Most of the part of the world is doing this every day, by taking painkillers in a headache, body ache, sleep, stress or emotional situation, normalizing a habit which simply destroys key organs.
What is more threatening to this case is ignorance in relation to long term effects. Most of them combine more than one analgesic, taking them beyond the advised doses or taking them without health care oversight. Painkillers are bought over the counter in some developing countries thus making it easy, quick and lethal to misuse. The use of painkillers has become another trend and even young adults and teenagers have joined the bandwagon taking them as harmless, normal necessities.
Healthcare workers all over the world note that more and more patients present themselves with complications that directly result has to do with the chronic use of analgesics. Cases of analgesic nephropathy, liver failure associated with the misuse of paracetamol, NSAID-related ulcers and opioid reliance are increasing in the hospitals. Not all are aware that one wrongly taken strong painkiller may have the same effect as years of caused damage.
Already such a risk is not in the individual, it is structural. Increased reliance puts a strain on the healthcare resources, causes the rise in hospital admission rates, and leads to preventable morbidity. Unaddressed, this trend may evolve into a bigger health problem of the population, akin to those caused by antimicrobial resistance or lifestyle diseases.
It is evident that responsible use, increased regulation and awareness among people are urgently required. Pain pills were meant to alleviate pain- not to be a coping strategy. Their safety and performance need to be maintained by acknowledging the dangers and applying them cautiously as opposed to conveniently.
The painkiller problem in the world is way bigger than it seems to be. Neglecting it results in the expensive cost to be paid tomorrow.
MBH/PS