What you should know about Cytotec.
It's another beautiful evening at the pharmacy and a young boy walks up to me.
He stands in front of me, looks me in the eye and the following conversation ensued,
Young boy: Aunty good evening
Me: Good evening dear, what do you want to buy.
Young boy: Aunty, do you have Cytotec?
Me: No, I don't have it.
Him: Okay...
Him: *hops towards another pharmacy*
Me: *another unwanted pregnancy* *sighs*
Most unmarried females aged 14-23 living in Aba, Port Harcourt, and Owerri (these cities are found in the eastern region of Nigeria) ingest Cytotec into their body systems like they are on a lollipop diet (observation).
Let's back up a bit and talk about Cytotec. You will learn about Cytotec under these headlines:
• What is Cytotec
• What is it used for
• Mode of Action
• Who should prescribe it
• Side effects
• Who should not use it.
+ bonus
WHAT IS CYTOTEC (MISOPROSTOL)
For the sake of my target audience, Cytotec is a drug primarily used by females to induce abortion at home.
OTHER USES OF CYTOTEC
• To induce labor
• Treat bleeding after delivery
• To prevent ulcer
MODE OF ACTION
For abortion/ induction of labour: Once it is ingested it causes the muscles of the uterus to contract, as it contracts, the cervix begins to ripen and dilate leading to the expulsion of the foetus.
For prevention of ulcers: it reduces the amount of stomach acid that's being produced. It also thickens the walls of the stomach and increases mucus secretion.
For treatment of bleeding after delivery: Remember it causes the muscles of the uterus to contract, adding pressure on the bleeding blood vessels.
WHO SHOULD PRESCRIBE IT
• QUALIFIED MIDWIVES
• QUALIFIED NURSES
• QUALIFIED DOCTORS
Buying and using Cytotec without a prescription is drug abuse and can have severe consequences.
SIDE EFFECTS
• cramps
• vaginal bleeding/spotting
• nausea
• vomiting
• weakness
• diarrhea
• stomach pain
• increased/irregular menstruation
• headache
WHO SHOULD NOT USE IT
• People allergic to prostaglandin
• Pregnant women
• Suspected ectopic pregnancy
• People that did not seek medical attention.
Abusing Cytotec can lead to severe health conditions like,
• Convulsions
• Ruptured uterus
• Anaemia
• Incomplete abortion
You MUST take Cytotec after being prescribed by a qualified doctor/nurse to rule out any underlying health conditions that may be worsened by Cytotec eg: heart conditions, blood clotting disorder, etc.
Instead of abusing Cytotec why not use condoms? If you don’t know how to put on a condom on a man here is a link to an article I authored
