ArticleBMJ open2013
'I can't be an addict. I am.' Over-the-counter medicine abuse: a qualitative study.
Article in BMJ open, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 34 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
34 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Focus on Over-the-Counter Drugs' Misuse: A Systematic Review on Antihistamines, Cough Medicines, and Decongestants.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2021Pooled it
- Community pharmacists preparedness to control OTC medication abuse in Saudi Arabia: a nationwide cross-sectional survey-based study.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
- Pharmacists' Opinions on the Policy for Controlling the Sale of Drugs That Have Been Abused in Thailand.Risk management and healthcare policy · 2025Article
- Characteristics of the drinking habits of people who overdose over-the-counter drugs: Insights from a nationwide Japanese survey.PCN reports : psychiatry and clinical neurosciences · 2024Article
- Clinical characteristics of over-the-counter (OTC) drug abusers in psychiatric practice in Japan: Comparison of single and multiple OTC product abusers.Neuropsychopharmacology reports · 2024Article
- Knowledge and attitudes toward over-the-counter medications among pharmacy students: insights from a cross-sectional study in Taif University, Saudi Arabia.Frontiers in medicine · 2024Article
- Suspected inappropriate use of prescription and non-prescription drugs among requesting customers: A Saudi community pharmacists' perspective.Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society · 2023Article
- Knowledge and Use of Over-the-counter Drugs in Italy: An Exploratory Survey-based Study in the General Population.Current neuropharmacology · 2023Article
- Over-the-Counter Drug Misuse and Dependence: Public Health Ethics' Foray into Fight against the Codeine Crisis.Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
- Pseudoephedrine hydrochloride causes hyperactivity in zebrafish via modulation of the serotonin pathway.Metabolic brain disease · 2022Article
- The association between the availability of over the counter codeine and the prevalence of non-medical use.European journal of clinical pharmacology · 2022Article
- Sales of Over-the-Counter Products Containing Codeine in 31 Countries, 2013-2019: A Retrospective Observational Study.Drug safety · 2022Observational
- Community pharmacists' views and experiences toward over-the-counter medicines misuse and abuse in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative study.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2022Article
- Opioid Use Stigma: An Examination of Student Attitudes on Harm Reduction Strategies.International journal of mental health and addiction · 2022Article
- Misuse of Over the Counter and Prescription Only Medication by Adults Accessing Specialist Treatment Services in the UK: A Narrative Synthesis.Substance abuse : research and treatment · 2022Article
- A mixed-methods systematic review of the prevalence, reasons, associated harms and risk-reduction interventions of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines misuse, abuse and dependence in adults.Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice · 2021Review
- Misuse of medication in adult substance misuse services: a systematic review protocol.BMJ open · 2021Article
- Real-time prescription monitoring: helping people at risk of harm.Australian prescriber · 2020Review
- Identification of factors influencing tampering of codeine-containing medicines in England: a qualitative study.Harm reduction journal · 2020Article
- Designing Effective Warnings about Addiction on the Patient Information Leaflet of Over-the-Counter Codeine Sold in England to University Students.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
1 author.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectivesOver-the-counter (OTC) pharmacy medicines are considered relatively safe in contrast to prescribed and illicit substances, but their abuse and addiction potential is increasingly recognised. Those affected represent a hard to reach group, with little known about their experiences. Study objectives were to describe the experiences and views of those self-reporting OTC medicine abuse, and why medicines were taken, how they were obtained and associated treatment and support sought.
designQualitative study using in-depth mainly telephone interviews.
participantsA purposive sample of 25 adults, aged 20-60s, 13 women.
settingUK, via two internet support groups.
resultsIndividuals considered themselves 'addicted', but socially and economically active and different from illicit substance misusers. They blamed themselves for losing control over their medicine use, which usually began for genuine medical reasons and not experimentation and was often linked to the cessation of, or ongoing, medical prescribing. Codeine, in compound analgesics, was the main medicine implicated with three distinct dose ranges emerging with decongestant and sedative antihistamine abuse also being reported. Subsequent use was for the 'buzz' or similar effects of the opiate, which was obtained unproblematically by having lists of pharmacies to visit and occasionally using internet suppliers. Perceived withdrawal symptoms were described for all three dose ranges, and work and health problems were reported with higher doses. Mixed views about different treatment and support options emerged with standard drug treatment services being considered inappropriate for OTC medicines and concerns that this 'hidden addiction' was recorded in medical notes. Most supported the continued availability of OTC medicines with appropriate addiction warnings.
conclusionsGreater awareness of the addiction potential of OTC medicines is needed for the public, pharmacists and medical prescribers, along with appropriate communication about, and reviews of, treatment and support options, for this distinct group.
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