New Codeine Therapy Study Findings Have Been Reported by Researchers at National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (Clinical Characteristics of Over-The-Counter Drug Misusers in Psychiatric Practice in Japan: Comparison Between Codeine Misusers...).

This article focuses on a study conducted in Tokyo, Japan, comparing clinical characteristics of individuals misusing over-the-counter (OTC) medications containing codeine (COD) versus dextromethorphan (DXM) in psychiatric settings. Using data from the 2024 National Survey on Drug-Related Disorders in Psychiatric Inpatient Facilities, the study found that DXM misusers were younger, more often female, and had higher rates of recent drug use, self-harm, suicide attempts, acute intoxication, and mood disorders compared to COD misusers. The research highlights the need for acute-phase management, psychiatric comorbidity assessment, suicide-risk evaluation, and preventive education focused on mental health, alongside regulatory measures for OTC medication sales. These findings aim to inform support strategies for individuals misusing DXM in Japan. [Extracted from the article]