Codeine interview study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Codeine interview study: benefits of codeine use, side effects and use of treatment services
IRAS ID
140200
Contact name
Paolo Deluca
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
611736, EU-FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IAPP
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 30 days
Research summary
Recent studies have underscored the need for increased awareness and regulation of codeine use as one of the most widely used opioids worldwide. Codeine is used for treatment of pain, coughing, and diarrhoea, and is available with and without a medical prescription, depending on type of medication.
While the appropriate use of codeine generally incurs little risk, use according to accepted medical guidelines can result in substance dependence over time. Excessive or long term use of codeine increases the risk of dependence, associated side effects, and adverse and even life threatening situations. In addition, the somewhat unpredictable nature of codeine’s effect in humans, with individuals varying in their metabolism of codeine into the stronger opioid morphine and dependence potential, also gives rise to concerns in relation to safety. Although effects are milder than many other opioids, including heroin, potential for codeine use for recreational purposes also is of concern. Prescribed misuse, codeine diversion onto the illicit market, and availability of codeine in pharmacies without the requirement of a medical prescription further adds to the complexity of codeine use, harms, monitoring, and regulation.
The CODEMISUSED Project is an EU funded international collaborative study between academics and pharmacists from Ireland, South Africa and the United Kingdom to explore, and estimate levels of codeine use, misuse and dependence. The CODEMISUSED Project aims to encourage the sharing of knowledge, expertise and practice around the issues of prescribed and non-prescribed use of codeine, monitoring, and treatment.
The current study is part of the CODEMISUSED Project and aims to collect illustrative data from qualitative interviews of codeine users regarding their choices and decision making when using codeine, their experiences of taking codeine, and their use of treatment services. The results of the study will be used to provide recommendations for improved interventions and treatment.REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0107
Date of REC Opinion
23 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion