About 4-5 years ago, there was a story of a young girl Amina, who went to the chemist to treat infection, she was given Septrin. When she didn't get any better and started itching, she went back to the chemist and was given Fansidar.

It ended like this: Steven-Johnson Syndrome. https://twitter.com/TheMedicaIVideo/status/1330729501257449474

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a form of hypersensitivity reaction that typically involves the skin and the mucous membranes. It could be severe, deadly with internal organ damage when it progresses to Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) which Amina eventually developed.

While infections (especially in children) can cause this, some drugs, mostly antibiotics can provoke a similar reaction, which in the case of Amina both drugs she consumed contained sulfa compounds which she was reacting to.

But neither her, nor the chemist knew.

Drugs that can produce this reaction include but are not limited to;

Sulfonamides/ Sulfa containing medications e.g Fansidar (Pyrimethamine + SULFADOXINE), Septrin (Trimethoprim + SULFAMETHOXAZOLE)
Penicillins
NSAIDS /Pain Killers
Allopurinol/ Antigout Medications
Ciprofloxacin

It takes anything from 40 minutes - 4hours for oral medications to take effect.

The first thing to do when you have strange reactions (itching, rashes, difficulty breathing etc) to a drug you just began to use is to STOP IT!

After that, go see a Doctor and relate your symptoms.

So back to the essence of this thread...

Do not ABUSE DRUGS.

Stop patronizing Chemists who know nothing about the drugs they sell.

See a Pharmacist when you need to know more about drugs and Consult a Doctor when you have any symptoms or allergic reactions.