Codeine death study adds to evidence of misuse
Combination analgesic usage a growing public health problem
8th December 2017
About 40 Australians die each year from combination paracetamol/codeine misuse, according to data that supports the restriction of access to codeine-containing analgesics.
The Monash University study identified 441 unintentional deaths associated with codeine-combination drugs across NSW, Queensland and Victoria over a 10-year period.
Behaviours of abuse, including doctor/pharmacy shopping and excessive and extended use, were identified in a quarter of cases.
The findings support US evidence that suggests codeine overdose is more likely to occur in women older