IRPG

Menu
Multidisciplinary

EFFECTS OF CHRONIC NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS USE AMONG YOUNG FEMALE ADULTS IN NIGERIA

IJMRB | Published: July 26, 2026 | Vol. 5 Issue 4 | ISSN: 3108-1428
Kingsley Chukwuka Amaihunwa1✉,
Gabriel Divinefavour Onyekachi1,
Osinachi Nwachukwu1
1 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
Download PDF View DOI

Abstract

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly used medications for the relief of pain and inflammation, particularly among young female adults experiencing dysmenorrhea and other recurrent painful conditions. Despite their therapeutic benefits, chronic and unsupervised use of NSAIDs has been associated with several adverse effects involving the gastrointestinal, renal, cardiovascular and hematological parameters. Methods: This review critically appraised selected studies and peer-reviewed literatures published on epidemiological data on the effects of chronic NSAID uses among young female adults in Nigeria, and the laboratory investigations used in monitoring affected individuals. The review examined the classification and mechanism of action of NSAIDs, highlighting the differences between non-selective and COX-2 selective agents. Results: The findings reveal that prolonged NSAID uses among young female adults impose severe adverse effects on the hematological parameters, particularly impairment of platelet count, platelet aggregation, and chronic blood loss. Common clinical manifestations such as fatigue, epigastric pain, dizziness and gastrointestinal bleeding were noted alongside alterations in laboratory investigations results including hemoglobin estimation, packed cell volume (PCV), stool occult blood testing, renal function tests, platelet count and platelet function tests. Conclusions: The public health implications of NSAID misuse in Nigeria, especially the widespread practice of self-medication and over-the-counter drug access by young female adults, if remains unregulated will assumed an epidemic proportion. Preventive and control measures such as health education, proper prescription practices, patient monitoring and the use of safer alternatives for pain management have to be advocated. Chronic NSAID uses among the young female adults may result in significant health complications if not properly monitored. Increased awareness, rational drug use and appropriate laboratory evaluation are essential in reducing NSAID-related morbidity among young female adults in Nigeria.
Keywords: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Young female adults, Nigeria.

References

  1. Ayanugo, C. J., Ogbonna, B. O., Onwuchuluba, E. E., Osuafor, N. G., Anetoh, M. U., Eze, U. I. H., Okpalanma, N. N., Mba, O. J., Nnamani, M. N., Osigwe, C. C., Eze, A. S., Umeh, I. B., Ejie, I. L., Adenola, U. A., Okoronkwo, N. A., Ezenekwe, L. N., Nduka, I. J., and Eze, D. U. (2025). Evaluation of analgesics use in the management of dysmenorrhea among female undergraduates in a Nigerian university. African Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 2(1), 57―70. https://doi.org/10.62587/AFRJMS.2.1.2025.57-70
  2. Agaba, E. I., Agaba, P. A., and Wigwe, C. M. (2004). Use and abuse of analgesics in Nigeria: A community survey. Nigerian Journal of Medicine, 13(4), 379–382. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15523865/
  3. Afolabi, A. O. (2021). Factors influencing self-medication practices among young adults in Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Public Health, 7(3), 120―127. https://journals.lww.com/aoam/fulltext/2008/07030/factors_influencing_the_pattern_of_self_medication.5.aspx
  4. Asakitikpi, A. E. (2019). Healthcare coverage and affordability in Nigeria. International Journal of Health Economics and Policy, 4(3), 89–97. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.85978
  5. Bally, M., Dendukuri, N., Rich, B., Nadeau, L., Helin-Salmivaara, A., Garbe, E., and Brophy, J. M. (2017). Risk of acute myocardial infarction with NSAIDs in real world use: Bayesian meta-analysis of individual patient data. BMJ, 357, j1909. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j1909⁠
  6. Bennadi, D. (2013). Self-medication: A current challenge. Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacy, 5(1), 19–23. https://doi.org/10.4103/0976-0105.128253⁠
  7. Bindu, S., Mazumder, S., and Bandyopadhyay, U. (2020). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and organ damage: A current perspective. Biochemical Pharmacology, 180, 114147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114147⁠
  8. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2022). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Available at: https://www.fda.gov⁠
  9. Ho, K. Y., Cardosa, M. S., Chaiamnuay, S., Hidayat, R., Ho, H. Q. T., Kamil, O., Mokhtar, S. A., Nakata, K., Navarra, S. V., Nguyen, V. H., Pinzon, R., Tsuruoka, S., Yim, H. B., and Choy, E. (2020). Practice advisory on the appropriate use of NSAIDs in primary care. Journal of Pain Research, 13, 1925–1939. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S247781⁠
  10. Kottke-Marchant, K. (2012). Platelet function testing by aggregometry and its clinical applications. Clinical Laboratory Medicine, 32(3), 417–431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cll.2012.07.003⁠
  11. Marjoribanks, J., Proctor, M., Farquhar, C., and Derks, R. (2010). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for dysmenorrhea. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 1, CD001751. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001751.pub2⁠
  12. National Kidney Foundation. (2023). Watch out for your kidneys when you use medicines for pain. National Kidney Foundation. Available at: https://www.kidney.org⁠
  13. NHS. (2023). NSAIDs. National Health Service. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nsaids⁠
  14. Osemene, K. P., and Lamikanra, A. (2012). A study of the prevalence of self-medication practice among university students in southwestern Nigeria. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 11(4), 683–689.
  15. Patrono, C., and Rocca, B. (2009). Aspirin and other COX-1 inhibitors. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, 210, 137–164. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-29423-5_6⁠
  16. Saraf, S. (2008). NSAIDs: An Overview (1st ed.). Hyderabad, India: PharmaMed Press, an imprint of Pharma Book Syndicate. ISBN: 978-81-88449-39-3. 1―6.
  17. Sostres, C., Gargallo, C. J., and Lanas, A. (2013). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and upper and lower gastrointestinal mucosal damage. Arthritis Research & Therapy, 15(Suppl 3), S3. https://doi.org/10.1186/ar4175⁠
  18. Ghlichloo, I., and Gerriets, V. (2023). Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). In StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID: 31613522. Bookshelf ID: NBK547742, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547742/?report=reader&utm
  19. Wallace, J. L. (2013). Mechanisms, prevention and clinical implications of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-enteropathy. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 19(12), 1861–1876. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v19.i12.1861⁠
  20. Zhang, X., Donnan, P. T., Bell, S., and Guthrie, B. (2017). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug induced acute kidney injury in the community dwelling general population and people with chronic kidney disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Nephrology, 18(1), 256. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-017-0673-8⁠
🔓 Open Access | Published by IR Publishing Group. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Log in

Sign up
Sign up
Scroll to Top