Evaluation of Over-the-Counter Analgesic Use and Associated Risks Among Adults in Borno State

Over-the-counter analgesic misuse is a significant but underappreciated public health concern in Nigerian communities where pain management often occurs outside formal healthcare settings. This study evaluated the patterns of over-the-counter analgesic use and associated risk behaviours among adults in Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State, North East Nigeria. A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted among 300 adult residents selected using systematic random sampling from three local government areas. A structured questionnaire assessed analgesic types used, frequency of use, dosing practices, concurrent use of multiple analgesics, and awareness of adverse effects. Results showed that 81.3 percent of respondents reported use of over-the-counter analgesics in the preceding three months. Paracetamol was the most commonly used agent (69.2 percent), followed by ibuprofen (43.8 percent) and aspirin (27.1 percent). Concurrent use of two or more analgesics was reported by 32.7 percent, raising concerns about nephrotoxicity and gastrointestinal risk. Awareness of adverse effects such as hepatotoxicity from paracetamol overdose was very low, present in only 18.4 percent of respondents. Dose escalation without medical advice was practised by 41.3 percent of regular users. Drug information was primarily obtained from vendors rather than healthcare professionals. The study recommends pharmacist-delivered counselling at the point of sale, public health campaigns on analgesic safety, and tighter regulatory oversight of analgesic labelling and sale in northern Nigerian markets.

Keywords: over-the-counter analgesics, drug misuse, analgesic risks, Borno State, community pharmacy