Mother Cries Out as Malaria Drug Causes Son’s Tongue to Hang Out, Sparks Online Outrage
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that a Nigerian mother has taken to social media to raise alarm over a terrifying health reaction her son suffered after using a popular malaria medication.
Identified as @promise\_busari on TikTok, the distraught mother shared that her young son was hospitalized after his tongue suddenly protruded uncontrollably and he became unable to swallow his own saliva, a reaction she claimed happened shortly after administering the drug to treat his malaria symptoms.
“It was so scary to watch,” she wrote in the emotional post, “but thank God he’s fine.” She also uploaded a video of the drug in question, warning other parents to be cautious. “It’s turn! Mine couldn’t even swallow his own saliva. His tongue came all out,” she added.
OTN News observes that the post quickly went viral, prompting a wave of reactions from other users who shared similar experiences with the same drug.
Widely identified in the comments as 'Camosunate', a combination antimalarial medication commonly used in Nigeria.
One user, Honey, recounted: “It happened to my friend’s son,he is 13 years and his neck started twisting and not returning back,we rushed him to hospital,doctor said is the malaria drugs and he was taking camosunate,when the mum told me I did not believe,now am seeing this and convinced.”
Another commenter, Dessie: “This particular medicine needs to be banned mehnn…it’s so bad that even as an adult when you use it 2weeks after you finish it you will still be weak and sluggish the side effect is terrible ah it needs to be banned the med is not good at all.”
Another commenter, Janice B, shared a more harrowing account, saying,: “Camosunate almost made me loose my second son! He was sleeping like someone who was perpetually drunk, he stopped walking , couldn’t even lift his head and wasn’t eating. Meanwhile my first son has absolutely no reaction to it oh. Omo na God save us oh.”
Edoveey: “Omg this drug nearly killed me and I’m an adult o. It doesn’t suit everyone. I hear it’s very effective but the side effects are crazy. I had terrible shortness of breath and was extremely weak. Felt like I was going to die.’
Amirah: “Since the day my daughter slept for 4 to 5 days straight after taking camosunate, I stopped taking it since then, I prefer other brands.”
As the story continues to generate public concern, health professionals and regulatory bodies are being urged to investigate the drug’s safety profile, especially in children.
While Camosunate is known for its antimalarial effectiveness, the increasing number of reported side effects is raising red flags among Nigerian families.
However, no official statement has yet been issued by Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) or the manufacturers of the drug.
What's Your Reaction?
