NewStats: 3,265,487 , 8,186,914 topics. Date: Sunday, 15 June 2025 at 09:14 AM 4v6z5u

By: DPharmacist

This morning, I got a message from a friend.

“Please can you help me with pentazocine for my friend? She's a sickle cell warrior. She just wants to have it close by in case she starts having crisis so she can inject herself before rushing to the hospital.”

On the surface, it sounded innocent — even considerate. After all, we all want to help people in pain, right?

But something didn’t sit right with me.

Pentazocine? A controlled drug? Just like that?

As a health professional, I had to explain that I couldn’t do that. It's not just any medication, and it’s not meant for unsupervised use, especially by non-medical personnel.

I probed further.

Turns out the lady in question is already in the habit of injecting herself anytime she “feels something coming.” In fact, she keeps the drug close at all times — hidden, like a secret weapon against pain.

But to me, it sounded like a serious case of drug dependence. That one message opened the door to a deeper issue that so many people in Nigeria are either ignorant about or too ashamed to talk about:

PENTAZOCINE ADDICTION.

🌡️ What Is Pentazocine?

For those who don’t know, Pentazocine is a narcotic analgesic — in simple , a powerful painkiller. It works by acting on the central nervous system (CNS) to block pain signals in the brain.

It's often used in hospitals for moderate to severe pain, such as during surgery or for cancer patients. But here's the issue:

When used frequently or without strict medical supervision, pentazocine becomes highly addictive.


The Dark Side: From Pain Relief to Dependency

You see, people with chronic illnesses like sickle cell disease experience unimaginable pain. It’s not surprising that they seek out ways to manage it fast. But when you begin to inject yourself without medical oversight, you’re not just treating pain — you’re feeding an addiction.

And this isn't about judgment. It’s about raising awareness, especially for families and caregivers who think they’re helping their loved ones by stocking them with powerful drugs at home.

🚨 Signs of Pentazocine Addiction[/b]

If you or someone you know is using pentazocine, here are the red flags to watch out for:

¶Physical Symptoms:

¶Constant drowsiness

¶Dizziness or nausea

¶Constipation

¶Unusual marks on arms or legs from injections

¶Abscesses or skin infections

Behavioral Symptoms:

¶Preoccupation with the drug ("Where can I get it? Do I have enough?"

¶Using it even when there's no pain

¶Hiding the drug or lying ing it

¶Neglecting responsibilities

¶Depression or mood swings

¶Attempting to forge prescriptions or buy illegally

And when they stop? Withdrawal kicks in: sweating, shaking, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts in extreme cases.


🦠 Health Risks You Didn’t Bargain For

Injecting pentazocine without proper hygiene can expose you to deadly diseases like:

Hepatitis B and C, HIV/AIDS, Sepsis (a deadly infection that spreads through the blood), Collapsed veins and nerve damage and lastly Organ failure in the long run.

These are not scare tactics — they are medical realities happening in our communities every day.

Not Just Sickle Cell Patients — Youths Are Abusing It Too!

Shockingly, young people and students are among the growing number of pentazocine abs in Nigeria. Some use it for its "feel-good" effect, while others use it to “escape reality” or enhance their ability to study or work long hours.

But they don’t know the full story. Addiction doesn’t start with needles. It starts with ignorance.


🛑 So What’s the Right Way to Handle Pain and Prescribed Drugs?

1. Don’t self-medicate.

Always consult a qualified doctor. Don’t just go and inject or swallow a drug because someone else did.

2. Don’t pressure healthcare workers.

Asking someone to prescribe a controlled drug casually is unethical. It puts them and you at risk.

3. Don’t enable addiction.

If you’re buying or keeping drugs "just in case," you're feeding dependency. Not helping.

4. Talk to professionals.

If pain is chronic, request a pain management plan from your doctor — they can guide you safely.

5. Observe your loved ones.

If someone close to you is always injecting themselves, especially in secret, have that tough conversation. It could save their life.


🧠 What To Do If You’re Struggling With Pentazocine Addiction

It’s not the end of the road. Help is available.

✅ Medical detox to remove the drug safely from your system
✅ Medications to reduce cravings
✅ Therapy like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
✅ groups like Narcotics Anonymous
✅ Aftercare and relapse prevention strategies

Please, speak to a psychiatrist or addiction specialist. It’s confidential, and you’ll be treated with comion — not shame.


❤️ A Final Word

If you're using pentazocine, either for medical or emotional pain, I want you to know this:

You are not weak. You are human. But you also deserve better than the chains of addiction.

True strength is not in hiding your struggle — it's in seeking help and choosing healing.

Let’s stop enabling silent addiction in our homes. Let’s start talking about it. Let’s educate ourselves and protect our brothers, sisters, and friends.


📢 Over to you, Nairalanders:

Have you seen or heard of someone addicted to pentazocine?

What are your thoughts on how we handle pain management in Nigeria?

Do you think enough awareness is being done?

Let’s talk. Your comment might save a life.

Say NO to self-medication. Say YES to responsible healthcare.

The issue of "Self Medication" practice has eaten deep into us as an average Nigerian already knows when he/she has malaria fever.
After treating and symptoms persist, they will treat Malaria & Typhoid Fever.
The craziest thing is that the average Nigerian also know the drugs to use and they have extended this habit in treating their children as well.
Somebody will say; At least they are better than those who entrust their health and get prescription from a sales attendance in the chemist shop.

Isn't this Fortwin?
Hmmmmmmmmmm the addiction worse crack, gambling n porn mixed together

HOW MUCH

So educative, thanks alot for sharing

"SS" Olden days Abiku/Ogbanje!

The only way is for AS genotype never to marry AS genotype and SS should marry only AA if need be!
The only way is for AC genotype never to marry AC genotype and CC should marry only AA if need be!

You should try and avoid SC too as SC and SS are collegues at the General hospital!

Money wasters!
Love draining!
Time wasters!
Excruciating and severe livelong pain!
Regrets!

No be village people they do you o! Na you dey do yourself!
That love wey blind before go get ten eyes sharpally!

Hmmm....

Recognising the excruciating pain sickle cell patients have to endure regularly, I dont think I'd ever judge a sickle cell warrior for being addicted to any pain killers.

OboOlora:
Isn't this Fortwin?
Hmmmmmmmmmm the addiction worse crack, gambling n porn mixed together

Yes it is.

I have seen alot of shocking cases.

1. A soldier wanting to use intimidating tactics on mw to collect Pentazocine, telling me he hasy HODs number and can call. I told him if he likes report me to CMD as far as there is no prescription i won't give out any.

2. We had a case in a hospital of a lady that will lie that she know so so and so doctor claiming he is the one that send her, just for her to get Pentazocine (Fortwin), we had to cut of the drug and go for an alternate drug that is less addictive.

Great topic.

CDs should never be dispensed to patients except expressly authorised by a medical professional.

Agbayadorians should read this and repent.
They are addicted to tinubu's emilocorn beef pentazocine.

Ok

Cocaina go day inside the drug like that.

Hmmm

A lot of suckers addicted to this drug

Lazy9jaYouth:
The issue of "Self Medication" practice has eaten deep into us as an average Nigerian already knows when he/she has malaria fever.
After treating and symptoms persist, they will treat Malaria & Typhoid Fever.
The craziest thing is that the average Nigerian also know the drugs to use and they have extended this habit in treating their children as well.
Somebody will say; At least they are better than those who entrust their health and get prescription from a sales attendance in the chemist shop.

Rather than go to the clinic, doing tests and then getting a prescription!

To see doctor - (Cheaper in PHCs)
Tests - FBC or MP or Widal, etc
Drugs - ACT and Antibiotics!

It's hard not to be tempted to self medications o as those tests are as expensive as the drugs!

My kid sister had a crisis last month.
It drained me so badly.
I blamed my parents for the mistake, they had the opportunity to stop, but they kept giving birth.

I took my sister to several hospitals. They were only giving her painkillers, but the pain was severe. She was given so many drips, yet nothing changed.

Even some pharmacists recommended Penta, but they were afraid to ister it. I later found out it’s prohibited. Nyaa ahia iwu.

I managed to get the Penta myself, and she took three shots. Ndi banyi, still, nothing happened. The pain continued.

The only thing the Penta did was give her a moment of relief and help her sleep. After that, the pain came back.

I reached out to the pharmacy where I bought the Penta, and they told me her body might be too strong for it. They then gave her Cocodamol.

She took the Cocodamol, and just like that, everything stopped.
Now she’s back on her regular folic acid and hydroxyurea (not sure of the spelling).

That crisis period was a nightmare, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

Thankfully, I escaped it, because honestly, I don’t know if I would have survived it if it were me.

The funny thing is that, i have seen many health care workers addicted to the same drug.

SarkinYarki:
A lot of suckers addicted to this drug

A patient died of complications as a result of addiction to this drug. No one knew till he was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately died before reaching. His body was full of needle pricks especially the thigh and arms.

protonz:
The funny thing is that, i have seen many health care workers addicted to the same drug.

Exactly.

A nurse was even relieved of his duties because he was abusing Pentazocine. He usually uses patients Pentazocine and then give them another drug instead.

Say no to drugs and addiction

Thanks for this piece.

I know many of them like that.
They will now graduate from being a sickle cell warrior to being in psychiatric yard for rehab for pentazocine addiction.
On the other hand, they will turn Plastic Surgery clinic patient too due to chronic ulcer from repeated injection.
Some will further have a bonus of osteomyelitis, now client to ortho.

Someone once lied about the need of this drug. I thought I was trying to help not until I did a research and found out it's drug abuse and addiction.

The moment I heard pentazocine
I had a very unsettling flashback

Their was a nurse I was dating.
She was using this drug daily especially at night. She used to inject herself.

I didn't see any wrong since She is a nurse so I didn't see anything wrong.

Then when we started nacking I observe She would go to toilet and stay upto 6 mins. Then come out looking a bit drowsy and horn.
Then we mount and her stuff was so wet..

Then I discovered that she was so hooked on the drug. That if she doesn't take it. She feels restless.

She has a pharmacy that supplies her with it steady.

At one point she jokingly told me to try it. I accepted but when I saw her inject it on her laps. I said Nooo I no do again.

Then the most devastating part was when after sex she confess to me that she is a Sickler😪😪
To make it worst I also discover that she inject her self with the same needle over and over again.

Which I later discovered that she gave me straps infection. I got the infection from her. We banged raw daily. And on Google go my symptoms the infection comes from those that use infected needle or share needles.

Then I this nurse she always use one needle while injecting herself without changing it.

That was enough for me to break up with her.
She felt extremely bad and sick after I broke up with her.
She thought it was because of her Sickle cell disease that made me break up with her.

Truth is the reason is because she hide the fact that she was sickle cell until we were deep in love. That spoilt my trust for her.
She cry no be small. Even threatened to end her life.

Omo anytime I hear that drug name I just get flashback and regrets😪😪

Ngozi I hope you are fine wherever you are. I lowkey miss you🥲

Frustration and Recklessness on the rise for want of escape route from Nigeria problem

The drug should be between how much?

Funny enough,I was told of a nurse in a particular hospital in the city I stay,that is so addicted to pentazocine,that whenever she's on duty,she finds a way of getting the medicine from the hospital pharmacy,with fake presentation that it is meant for a patient however the hospital now suspected her and have now placed the medicine in secured stores and can only be dispatched with detailed reports. I learnt she started using it because of the stress of work and sooner than later,she became so use to it.

I took this 5 years ago for menstrual pain....aaaahhh....such a sweet drug. It took a whole year before I finally broke the addiction

This guy has hit the nail on the head God will bless you plenty times. this particular issue was discussed three days ago when one guy hides inside bush and was taking the injection i fill like the girl is a moving corps already addiction is very bad that will need to avoid in fact too much of everything is bad