Cape Town – The family of a 67-year-old diabetic man has been left devastated after discovering that their father was mistakenly given and took antiretroviral (ARV) medication, causing his health to deteriorate.
According to SABC News, the man’s son, Mokhethi Mokoqo, noticed the error weeks later after observing his father’s worsening condition.
He discovered that his father had been taking ARVs instead of his prescribed diabetes medication, which had been dispensed at the local clinic in July.
Mokoqo said his father was rushed to hospital after developing sores and losing his ability to walk. After two weeks in hospital, his father began experiencing memory loss.
Mokoqo confirmed that health officials later visited their home to offer financial support.
“On Monday morning, around 6am, I got a call, so I had to rush home and leave whatever I was doing. Upon arriving, I asked him what was wrong and he told me that he had cramps, and he could not feel the rest of his body.
“That’s when I decided to check his medication, and found out he was given ARVs, as ARVs have barcodes,” said Mokoqo.
According to HIVSASA, a person should never make the mistake of taking ARV’s if they are negative.
Dr Niko Gichana, a pharmacist at Port Reiz District Hospital, said that when someone takes ARV’s when they are negative, the effects negatively affect the immune system and weaken it and interfere with the normal functioning of some organs.
“When a HIV-positive person is given ARVs, it boosts their immunity, but when a HIV-negative person takes them, it just undermines their immunity and interferes with their body organs,” said Dr Niko Gichana during an interview with Nation.
He added that the medication can cause additional symptoms such as vomiting and nausea
“A drug can be a poison depending on the length and dosage used. If you do not have HIV and are taking ARVs, the symptoms could be as simple as nausea and vomiting or as complicated as reducing renal function,” he said.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Pixabay
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
