Benylin cough syrup, a seemingly innocuous remedy for cough and cold, harbors a dark side that has cast a shadow over its usage in Nigeria. Despite its availability and widespread usage, there are three significant reasons why Benylin cough syrup poses a grave danger to the populace, transcending its intended medicinal purpose.

Toxic substance: It was discovered that the syrup included " an unacceptably high level" of the hazardous and sometimes lethal chemical diethylene glycol. Animals exposed to diethylene glycol in a lab setting experienced rapid oral toxicity. Diethylene glycol presents serious health hazards, particularly to young people.

It can have severe side effects that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty urinating, headaches, changed mental states, and acute renal damage, which can be fatal.

The proliferation of codeine abuse also underscores the perilous nature of Benylin cough syrup in Nigeria. Codeine, an opioid contained within Benylin, is highly addictive and poses severe health risks when misused. The syrup' s accessibility over the counter has facilitated its abuse, especially among the youth population seeking a cheap and easily obtainable high. Consequently, Nigeria has grappled with a burgeoning epidemic of substance abuse, with Benylin cough syrup emerging as a prime culprit. The addictive nature of codeine not only devastates individual lives but also exacts a heavy toll on families and communities, perpetuating a cycle of dependency and despair.