The loss of Mohbad should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria. It’s time for the government, healthcare authorities, and citizens to come together and rigorously address the crisis of self-medication and quack healthcare.
In the wake of the untimely demise of the beloved Nigerian musician Mohbad, shocking revelations about the medication used in his treatment have come to light. The Nation’s in-depth investigation unveils the perilous side of Ceftriaxone injection, a medication that – like a double-edged sword – cures ailments but sometimes endangers life, even in the hands of experienced medical personnel. It is a component of the late musician’s medical treatment served under the hand of someone said to be an auxiliary nurse not qualified for such medical responsibilities.
Indeed Ceftriaxone has been responsible for severe and life-threatening adverse reactions as well as deaths in several countries over the past two decades, as findings by The Nation have shown.
Preliminary reports from Lagos Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa’s ongoing inquiry into Mohbad’s death suggest that his friend, Ayobami Sadiq (alias Spending), sought medical assistance from Ms. Feyisayo Ogedengbe. She administered a cocktail of treatments, including Ceftriaxone injection. The consequences were dire. As the Ceftriaxone coursed through Mohbad’s veins, he began to vomit, and ominous goose bumps rippled across his face and body. Reports indicate that Feyi is a well-behaved lady from a humble background, but neither past innocence nor ignorance easily stands up to serious charges in a court of law.
Ceftriaxone, according to www.webmd.com, “is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. This medication belongs to a class of drugs known as cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.”
Yet in the hands of even a medical expert, the medication begs for extreme care in its application.
The shocking revelation does not end there. A 7-page report from the Registration & Regulatory Affairs (R&R) Directorate of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) explicitly underscores the need for strict adherence to guidelines governing the use of antibacterial agents.
This alarming revelation gains further credence when one looks beyond our borders. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned specific variants of Ceftriaxone in animal treatment due to concerns about antimicrobial resistance. Similar fears are echoed in several studies from the United States’ National Center for Biotechnology Information, which stress that the widespread misuse of Ceftriaxone is a grave issue.
Checks indicate that on 6 January 2012, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had emulated Canadian health authorities by banning the use of certain variants of Ceftriaxone in treating animals and chickens, citing ‘declines in the prevalence of cephalosporin-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg isolates in chicken meat and in humans’.
Several studies and drug reviews presented online by the United States’ National Center for Biotechnology Information which advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information reflect longstanding deep concerns largely caused by the easy mishandling of Ceftriaxone.
One such study, “Evaluation of the Clinical Use of Ceftriaxone among In-Patients in Selected Health Facilities in Uganda,” exposes the rampant misuse of Ceftriaxone, exacerbated by its excessive clinical utilisation. The consequences are stark – inappropriate use of antibiotics, including Ceftriaxone, accelerates the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, increases treatment costs, hampers productivity, inflicts unnecessary side effects, and can ultimately result in fatalities.
While Ceftriaxone boasts efficacy against certain respiratory tract infections and disease-causing bacteria, its dark side is equally significant. Among others, it can inflict kidney injury by binding with calcium ions and forming insoluble Ceftriaxone-calcium salts in the urinary tract.
The Ugandan review published on June 25, 2021, found that Ceftriaxone has a high propensity for misuse because of its high rate of utilisation.
“In this study, we aimed at assessing the appropriateness of the clinical utilisation of ceftriaxone in nine health facilities in Uganda; using the World Health Organisation (WHO) Drug Use Evaluation indicators, we reviewed a systematic sample of 885 patients’ treatment records selected over a three (3)-month period.
“Ceftriaxone, like most cephalosporins, has a high prevalence of inappropriate prescriptions: Ceftriaxone has a high propensity for misuse because it is utilised in high quantities clinically and is prescribed in an uncontrolled manner in many countries including Uganda.
“Inappropriate use of antibiotics such as ceftriaxone accelerates the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, increases costs of treatment, affects productivity, and exposes patients to unnecessary side effects, and can also result in death,” it stated.
Acknowledged effectiveness of Ceftriaxone includes its ability to kill some important causative organisms of respiratory tract infections, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumonia and some strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the bug that causes dangerous hospital infections.
However, another review notes that ceftriaxone can be hard on kidneys to the extent of causing kidney injury, as ‘it can bind with calcium ions, producing a poorly soluble ceftriaxone–calcium salt that forms precipitates in the urinary tract, also known as urolithiasis although its incidence is relatively rare, ceftriaxone-induced urolithiasis could lead to severe complications, such as acute kidney injury (AKI),” .
Mayo Clinic, a globally acknowledged United States medical institution known for helping in the resolution of complex medical challenges made specific mention of Ceftriaxone injection as one of those medications whose unintended consequences may culminate into adverse side effects. It listed the more common possible side effects to include black, tarry stools, chest pain, chills, cough, fever, painful or difficult urination, shortness of breath, sore throat, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising and unusual tiredness or weakness.
Less common ones among its side effects include diarrhea, abdominal or stomach cramps, back, leg, or stomach pains, bleeding gums, bloating, blood in the urine or stools, bloody nose, changes in skin color, clay-coloured stools, convulsions, cough or hoarseness, dark urine, difficulty with breathing, difficulty with swallowing, dizziness, fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse, general body swelling, headache, hives, increased sweating, increased thirst, inflammation of the joints, itching, loss of appetite, muscle aches, nausea or vomiting, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, shortness of breath, swelling of the foot or leg, tightness in the chest, troubled breathing with exertion, unpleasant breath odour, unusual weight loss, vomiting of blood, watery or bloody diarrhea, coughing up blood, decrease in the amount of urine, increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding, nosebleeds, paralysis, prolonged bleeding from cuts, red irritated eyes, restlessness and having trouble sitting still.
While acknowledging that some of these side effects may just fade away as one’s body adjusts to the medicine, some rare and bothersome adverse effects may linger still. These may include acid or sour stomach, belching, bloating, change in taste, dizziness, headache, heartburn, indigestion, itching of the vagina or genital area, pain during sexual intercourse, stomach discomfort or pain, thick, white vaginal discharge with no odour or with a mild odour, redness, swelling, or soreness of the tongue and few others.
Furthermore, a report from as early as August 2012 titled: “Adverse events induced by ceftriaxone: a 10-year review of reported cases to Iranian Pharmacovigilance Centre” underscores the critical need for caution and expert oversight when dealing with this medication. It reveals that Ceftriaxone was responsible for the highest number of deaths in their database, with a significant portion categorised as serious adverse reactions.
As the music world mourns the loss of Mohbad, these findings cast a troubling spotlight on the medication used in his treatment. Ceftriaxone, though effective against certain infections, carries a formidable risk when misused. It is a stark reminder that the world of medicine is complex and ever-evolving, and that understanding the nuances of pharmaceuticals is crucial for safeguarding lives.
In conclusion, the tragic loss of Mohbad sheds light on the urgent need for healthcare reform in Nigeria. We must prioritise improved healthcare access, making it more affordable and available to all Nigerians, while also launching nationwide public awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of self-medication and the risks posed by unqualified medical practitioners. It is imperative for the government to tighten regulations and vigorously enforce them to eliminate quackery, ensuring citizens receive quality care. Moreover, individuals must remain vigilant and demand proof of qualifications from healthcare providers to safeguard our collective health and safety.
Mohbad’s untimely passing serves as a poignant reminder that no one is exempted from the perils of self-medication and unqualified healthcare, motivating us to work together to reshape Nigeria’s healthcare landscape and prevent future avoidable tragedies. In Mohbad’s honour, let us unite against self-medication, quackery, and substandard healthcare to protect the well-being of our loved ones and the future of our nation.
In the wake of this revelation, the nation must collectively demand more transparency, rigorous guidelines, and comprehensive education on the use of antibacterial agents. Only then can we ensure that no more lives are lost to the shadowy side of Ceftriaxone.
