By Dickson Omobola

US-based medical researcher affiliated with Prairie View A&M University, Texas, Dr Uche Chukwuemeka, has cautioned against the long-term and unsupervised use of painkillers, warning that drugs commonly perceived as harmless could pose serious risks to public health.

Chukwuemeka said pain-relief medications are among the most frequently used drugs worldwide because they are easily accessible and often sold without prescription. He noted that this convenience has created a false sense of safety among users.

“Many people rely on painkillers daily for headaches, body pain, fever and stress-related discomfort,” he said.

“What most users do not realise is that prolonged use can quietly damage vital organs such as the liver and kidneys.”

The researcher explained that his work focuses on medication safety, pharmaceutical quality, and drug-organ interactions, with particular attention to how commonly used painkillers behave under different biological and chemical conditions in the body.

According to him, laboratory-based and peer-reviewed studies show that factors such as drug release patterns, disintegration time and structural stability influence how long painkillers remain active in the body and how they affect organs over time.

Chukwuemeka stressed that painkillers with similar labels and dosages do not always behave the same way.

“Differences in formulation can determine how much of a drug enters the bloodstream and how long it stays there, which becomes especially important with long-term use,” he said.

He added that recent scientific discussions have linked frequent painkiller use to increased risk of liver and kidney impairment, cardiovascular strain, and potential neurological or behavioural effects, particularly with prolonged exposure.

Speaking on the Nigerian situation, Chukwuemeka said self-medication remains widespread, driven by physical labour, stress, and limited access to healthcare services. He noted that many Nigerians use painkillers daily without medical supervision.

“This reality makes public education very important,” he said. “Clear dosing instructions, stronger quality regulation and seeking medical advice for persistent pain can significantly reduce preventable harm.”

The researcher clarified that his findings do not discourage the appropriate use of painkillers when medically indicated but emphasised responsible and informed use.

“Painkillers remain an essential part of modern medicine, but convenience should not replace caution,” he said.

He called on individuals, healthcare providers and policymakers to promote informed medication practices, stressing that greater awareness of how painkillers work in the body is critical to protecting long-term public health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where self-medication is common.