RIYADH: It is common knowledge that taking medication without a doctor’s prescription is a risky affair. However, very few people know that there are as many as 22 types of medicines that are very dangerous, said experts in the medical field.
“Among these 22 medicines are antibiotics and painkillers that can be fatal or have irreversible side-effects if not prescribed by an authorized medical practitioner,” Sobhi Al-Haddad, a member of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society and health media adviser, told local media.
They might lead to very serious complications in about 30 percent of the cases such as poisoning or triggering cancers, liver diseases or deformation of fetuses, he warned.
Some painkillers, such as pyrazolone derivatives and analgin, were banned in the Kingdom some time ago, said Al-Haddad.
“Some countries prohibit the use of such painkillers, including phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone, except in special cases and under medical supervision,” he said.
Al-Haddad highlighted the danger of using some painkillers that affect the kidneys, even kidney failure, destroy the liver cells or cause stomach ulcers.