As winter deepens across the UK, coughs, colds and flu-like symptoms are becoming part of daily life for many households, including Nigerians and other Africans adjusting to colder weather and shorter days.
From reaching for cough syrups to taking vitamin supplements for immunity, many people rely on familiar remedies to feel better quickly. But UK health regulators are warning that using medicines and supplements incorrectly can sometimes do more harm than good.
According to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, making informed choices about everyday treatments is one of the simplest ways to protect your health during the festive season and beyond.
Why This Message Matters to the Diaspora
For many Nigerians in the UK, self-medication is second nature. Back home, people often rely on trusted remedies or advice from family and pharmacists without thinking twice. In the UK, however, medicines are highly regulated, and mixing products or exceeding recommended doses can carry serious risks.
Understanding how UK medicines work, and how to use them safely, is especially important during winter when illnesses spread more easily and pharmacies are busy.
A Reminder from UK Health Experts
Dr Chris Cooper, who works in safety and surveillance at the MHRA, says winter is the time people are most likely to misuse everyday medicines without realising it.
He explains that when people feel unwell, they often reach for familiar products hoping for quick relief. However, staying safe means making smart choices. Small decisions, such as checking labels or asking for advice, can be the difference between recovering properly and feeling worse.
The Hidden Danger of Doubling Up on Medicines
One of the biggest risks during cough and cold season is taking more than one product that contains the same active ingredient. This is especially common with paracetamol, which is found in many cold and flu remedies.
When someone takes a painkiller and then adds a cough or flu syrup without checking the label, they may unknowingly exceed the safe daily limit. This can cause serious harm, particularly to the liver.
Health officials strongly advise reading medicine labels carefully and following the dosage instructions in the Patient Information Leaflet every time, even if the medicine feels familiar.
Why Taking Extra Doses Is Not the Answer
When symptoms linger, some people respond by taking medicines for longer than recommended or increasing the dose. UK doctors and pharmacists warn against this approach.
If a cough, sore throat or cold is not improving, the safest step is to speak to a pharmacist or GP rather than adding more medicine. They can advise whether a different treatment is needed or whether symptoms may be linked to another condition.
For Nigerians used to “managing” symptoms on their own, this shift towards professional advice can feel unfamiliar, but it is an important part of staying safe in the UK healthcare system.
Vitamin D: Helpful, but Only in the Right Amount
During UK winters, many people take vitamin D because of limited sunlight. This is especially common among Black and minority ethnic communities, including Nigerians, who are more likely to have lower vitamin D levels.
While vitamin D supports bone and muscle health, taking too much can be harmful. UK guidance states that adults should not take more than 100 micrograms, or 4,000 IU, per day unless a higher dose has been prescribed by a doctor.
Because supplements come in different strengths, it is important to check labels carefully and ask a pharmacist for advice if you are unsure which dose is appropriate.
Why Reporting Side Effects Protects Everyone
If you notice side effects from a medicine or supplement, or believe a product has caused a problem, health officials urge people not to ignore it.
In the UK, issues can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. These reports help regulators identify safety concerns and improve protections for everyone using medicines, including future patients.
For diaspora communities, this system is an important way of contributing to safer healthcare across the country.
Simple Self-Care Still Matters
Alongside medicines, doctors continue to stress the importance of basic self-care during winter. Resting, keeping warm and staying hydrated all help the body recover from common illnesses.
For sore throats, honey and lemon can be soothing for adults and older children, though honey should never be given to babies under one year old. NHS guidance also offers trusted advice on managing common colds at home.
A Healthier Winter Starts with Informed Choices
By combining simple self-care with the safe use of medicines and supplements, people can reduce risks and recover more comfortably during winter.
For Nigerians and other Africans living in the UK, understanding how to navigate everyday health decisions is part of settling into life here. Small habits, like checking labels and asking pharmacists for advice, can make a big difference.
At Chijos News, we continue to break down UK health guidance in clear, relatable language, helping diaspora communities stay informed, safe and confident as they build their lives in the UK.