Swinol: Uses, Price and Side Effects

Swinol is a drug that was developed by Swiss Pharma Nigeria Limited (swipha). It contains flunitrazepam which is a member of the class of drugs referred to as benzodiazepine. It is a drug that has a hypnotic effect and can be used as a relaxant for muscles. Also, it is used to reduce anxiety in patients as it is a strong sedative drug.

Although the drug is an approved drug, it has a high tendency to be abused. It had been banned in several countries like the USA and the United Kingdom and restricted in Nigeria by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)

How Swinol works?

Swinol alters the neurotransmitters, GABA which actually slow the rate of dopamine production. Consequently, there is a reduction in the rate at which the brain function thereby causing sedation and relaxation.

Swinol Price in Nigeria

Swinol is addictive and its abuse has been a trend among Nigerians with teenagers being the highest set of consumers. Its sale is restricted to certain areas and not readily available in pharmaceutical stores. However, there are loopholes that make the drug available to the abusers. The price of Swinol in Nigeria ranges from 350 to 500 Naira per pill owing to the scarcity and restrictions

Uses of Swinol

Swinol, has its uses in the medical world. Swinol can be used as anesthesia for surgical operations. It can be used in the treatment of insomnia in patients who have had it for a long time or experience it often.  Anxiety disorders can be managed by using Swinol as well. Prevention of convulsions is also possible with the use of Swinol.

Swinol Drug:  Side Effects

Swinol Drug has a hypnotic effect, therefore it causes memory loss, there might be a case where the person cannot recall fully what happened before the use of the drug.

The sedative effect brings about drowsiness, where the person has no or little control over his or her body.

Other side effects are:

• Loss of control of body muscles
• Slow heart rate
• Sluggishness
• Slow speech rate
• Body weakness
• Respiratory depression