Table 9.
Comparison of some hazardous effect of painkiller drugs with that of heavy metals.
| S/No | Painkiller drug effect | References | Heavy metal effect | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Constipation | 9 | Cd (abdominal cramps and vomiting) | 57 |
| 2 | Respiratory Depression | 11 | As (Respiratory effect-laryngitis, bronchitis rhinitis and Bracheobronchitis), | 58 |
| 3 | Hyperalgesia | 10 | Ni (Alveolar congestion and alveolar cell hyperplasia | 59 |
| 4 | Hormone imbalance | 11 | Cd, Cr6+, Ni, Hg (Endocrine disruptors and Metallohormones), As (chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes | 17,18 |
| 5 | Gastrointestinal effect | 13 | As (Gastrointestinal effect | 60 |
| 6 | Renal problems | 6 | Cd (Renal effect) As (Renal effect) | 17,19 |
| 7 | Cardiovascular and congestive heart failure | 10 | As, Pb (Cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction and artherial thickening, heart failure) | 18,61 |
| 8 | Fractures and Arthrities | 6 | Cd (Osteomalacia, osteoporosis and spontaneous fractures) | 57 |
| 9 | Central nervous system disorder | 10 | Hg (Neurological disorders, total damage to the brain and central nervous system (CNS) | 62 |
(Some health effects caused by painkiller drugs compared well with those of heavy metals and can act synergistically).