title: Over-the-Counter Codeine-from Therapeutic Use to Dependence, and the Grey Areas in Between.
abstract: Codeine is a widely used analgesic, that is available for sale in pharmacies over the counter (OTC) in a number of countries including the UK, South Africa, Ireland, France and Australia. In these countries with OTC codeine sales there has been emerging concerns about misuse of and dependence on codeine containing combination analgesics, with increasing numbers of people presenting for help with codeine dependence at primary care and addiction treatment services. This has led to many countries reviewing availability of codeine in OTC available preparations, and considering possible measures to reduce harms from misuse of OTC codeine containing combination analgesics.
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, 22-32 King Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia. suzanne.nielsen@unsw.edu.au.|South East Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) Drug and Alcohol Services, 591-623 S Dowling Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia. suzanne.nielsen@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science, School of Health Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Marie Claire
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Van Hout
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D002170:Canada; D003061:Codeine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D005602:France; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D009520:New Zealand; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse; D013019:South Africa; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D003061:Codeine
keywords: Abuse; Analgesic; Codeine; Dependence; Opioid use disorder