Abstract:
The COVID 19 pandemic took the world by surprise in the year 2020 and its effects are still
being felt although governments globally responded by putting in place measures to mitigate
its spread. These measures included among others lockdowns, curfews, wearing face masks in
public places, hand washing and social distancing. The curfew and lockdowns lead to the
closure of public joints, bar and restaurants, somewhat rendering alcohol and other drugs of
abuse inaccessible. Most addicts were left with no choice but to lay their hand on anything that
could make them high. Cough medications containing antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine
malate, antitussives such as dextromethorphan and codeine, decongestants such as
phenylephrine and expectorants such as guaifenesin and sleep aids were highly sought because
they could be accessed without prescription. These medications were in many cases routinely
mixed with soft drinks to make them palatable. Being that their detention by the law enforcing
officers is minimal alcohol and drug abusers were able to consume them anytime, and even
behind wheels, potentially leading to commission of other social crimes and accidents. This
study used thin layer chromatography to analyse common cough–cold medications that were
likely to be found in possession of the abusers. Fifteen solvent systems were studied to evaluate
which one gave the best isolation separation and identification of the cold medication
components. The System comprising ammonia: methanol in the ratio of 2:80 (v/v) and another
comprising of methanol: chloroform in the ratio of 10:90 (v/v) were found most suitable for
separation. It was further established that iodine fuming was the best visualizing technique for
the chromatograms of the cough-cold medication samples preceeding subsequent confirmatory
analysis.
