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Codeine at the dose available over the counter is not very addictive. On top of this the pharmacists record your details so that anyone addicted is picked up an

Codeine at the dose available over the counter is not very addictive. On top of this the pharmacists record your details so that anyone addicted is picked up and helped. As far as I can determine there has not been a problem with OTC codeine in Australia. As for why to not make it prescription only is we have universal healthcare in Australia. Shifting low dose codeine to prescription only will cause a massive increase in doctor visits at a huge increase in the cost to the Australian tax payer. I use OTC codeine to treat and catch my migraines before they become major. I maybe take codeine once a month and never visit the doctor. I will now have to visit at least once or twice a year for no reason other than to get a script for something I have been buying over the counter for the last 30 years.

eropple 9y ago
If it's sufficiently low dose and it's tracked at a level that can detect and alert about potential abuse, that makes a lot of sense to me; thank you for the (much better) explanation.
- danieltillett 9y ago
  Basically like lots of things in Australia we are getting caught up in the US hysteria about opioid addiction. Yes opioids are powerful and potentially dangerous drugs, but used wisely they are very useful and effective. If there is a problem then the solution is to solve the problem, not just ban everything because there might be a problem. On the topic of the US opioid addiction the way it has been handled is appalling. Getting millions hooked on powerful prescription opioids and then cutting them off cold turkey with effectively zero help so they end turning to really dangerous drugs like fentanyl is criminal.
Turing_Machine 9y ago
When I was a kid you could purchase codeine cough medicine OTC in my U.S. state (it was same deal as you describe for Australia -- the patient would have to sign a register so the pharmacist could make sure you weren't buying five bottles a day or whatever). Nothing works as well for a nagging cough as codeine and terpin hydrate. Nothing. Unfortunately, you've got to go to a doctor to get it nowadays. Instead, most people use OTC stuff with DXM (which doesn't work as well, is an abusable drug in its own right, and is quite likely more toxic than the codeine).

eropple 9y ago

If it's sufficiently low dose and it's tracked at a level that can detect and alert about potential abuse, that makes a lot of sense to me; thank you for the (much better) explanation.

danieltillett 9y ago
Basically like lots of things in Australia we are getting caught up in the US hysteria about opioid addiction. Yes opioids are powerful and potentially dangerous drugs, but used wisely they are very useful and effective. If there is a problem then the solution is to solve the problem, not just ban everything because there might be a problem. On the topic of the US opioid addiction the way it has been handled is appalling. Getting millions hooked on powerful prescription opioids and then cutting them off cold turkey with effectively zero help so they end turning to really dangerous drugs like fentanyl is criminal.

Turing_Machine 9y ago

When I was a kid you could purchase codeine cough medicine OTC in my U.S. state (it was same deal as you describe for Australia -- the patient would have to sign a register so the pharmacist could make sure you weren't buying five bottles a day or whatever). Nothing works as well for a nagging cough as codeine and terpin hydrate. Nothing. Unfortunately, you've got to go to a doctor to get it nowadays. Instead, most people use OTC stuff with DXM (which doesn't work as well, is an abusable drug in its own right, and is quite likely more toxic than the codeine).