The Sunday Mail
Scores of epileptic women across the country are failing to conceive while several men are experiencing erectile problems after they took drugs that were later discovered to cause severe side-effects, including infertility. The drugs, originally designed to suppress epileptic seizures, are believed to assume the effect of contraceptives if taken continuously.
Although the exact figures of those affected could not be immediately confirmed, official records put the number of epileptics in the country at 500 000.
Most of them have traditionally used suppressants such as Phytone, Sodium Valporate, Carbo maphizine and Phenobarbital, all drugs widely dispensed at private pharmacies and health institutions.
However, information regarding the full extent of the crippling side-effects emerged during countrywide medical observations between late 2013 and early this year.
It is understood medical experts first picked signs of the problem as far back as 2005, but recently became increasingly concerned after infertility became widespread among epileptics.
National Foundation for Scientific Disabilities executive director Mr Victor Mugwagwa, whose institution made the startling observations, attributed the complications to the prolonged consumption of an old drug regimen.
Mr Mugwagwa said many countries have since discarded the drugs and migrated to new ones less associated with major side-effects.
The World Health Organisation (Who) recommended the latest medication last year, but Zimbabwe continues to lag behind due to financial constraints.
According to the foundation, the observations were carried out among epileptics in various parts of the country.
It emerged then that the majority of women on the drugs had developed serious health problems such as miscarriages, abdominal pains and prolonged menstrual cycles.
Some of the women also developed high sex drives while others were switched off intercourse altogether. Men were not spared either as those roped into the observations also experienced hormonal imbalances.
Mr Mugwagwa advised epileptics to adopt natural therapies such as avoiding direct sunlight and cooling to reduce seizures. He said substantial funds were required to conduct a comprehensive study and eventually phase out the old drugs.
“Presently, four types of drugs are available for epileptic people, namely: Phytone, Sodium Valporate, Carbo maphizine and Phenobarbital. The main purpose of these drugs is to reduce seizures.
“However, these drugs, which are imported from within and outside Africa, are preventing fertilisation in females. These are the traditional epilepsy drugs we have known and used for more years than I can remember.
“We started noticing the side-effects between 2005 and 2007. During that time, we thought it was a result of stress associated with the obtaining economic problems. Some of the women developed ovarian cysts which led to a lot of miscarriages.”
Ms Monica Gomo, a counsellor with the Epilepsy Support Foundation, said while reports regarding the side-effects are undisputed, she was only aware of research carried out in Europe.
“In Zimbabwe no one really knows about the side-effects of the drugs because no one has done researches on the side-effects of the drugs in our country.
“However, that does not stop us from taking measures because if seven out of 10 people come in with complaints about the drugs then something needs to be done to rectify the problem.”
Contacted for comment, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr Paul Chimedza said his ministry was yet to receive a report from the relevant committee that oversees the Essential Drugs List of Zimbabwe (EDLZ).
The committee meets at least twice annually.
Dr Chimedza pointed out that individuals react differently to particular medication.
“The committee (on the EDLZ) recommends standard treatment guidelines for the country, considering the effectiveness and affordability of the drugs. However, this committee has not yet given us a report on the side-effects of epilepsy drugs.
“On the other hand, all drugs have side-effects; people react differently, depending on individual make-up. Even simple stop pains such as Panados have their own side-effects.”
Epilepsy, as defined by the online medical dictionary, is a condition that prompts seizures and is mainly caused by brain damage.
It involves two types of brain damage: chemical damage that cannot be seen physically and detectable injuries.
Epilepsy therapy projects indicate that most brain damage in children is caused by trauma at birth, nervous and soft tissue tumour, lack of oxygen during pre- and post-natal care and generally poor maternity care.
In adults, the condition usually develops due to accidents, drug and substance abuse as well as kidney failures. In some cases, epilepsy is passed genetically.
Medical experts say the old class of drugs is also associated with additional side-effects such as memory loss, intellectual development decay, emotional depressions and extreme weakness.
