Abstract

Background and Aims:
Over-the-counter medications are drugs that can be taken without prescription by a licenced practitioner; thus, their use is a global challenge that impacts patient care. Codeine-containing products are one of the over-the-counter medications that are available in Saudi Arabia without physician prescriptions, and little information is available about their abuse and dependence on these products. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the degree of misuse of codeine-containing products among the Al Majmaah population.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study employs a snowball convenience sampling technique, which is crucial because it allows researchers to access a difficult-to-reach and often hidden population: individuals misusing Codeine. The research was conducted over eleven months and utilized an online questionnaire to gather data about adult residents of Al Majmaah city’s Codeine misuse. The data were collected via Google Forms and analysed via SPSS software

Results:
This study involved 392 participants. A significant proportion (43.9%) admitted to using codeine medications, primarily because of easy accessibility (83.1%) from pharmacies without a prescription. Commonly cited symptoms prompting codeine medication usage included headaches (74.4%) and the common cold (61.0%), with the majority (89.5%) reporting no side effects. Pharmacies were the primary source of codeine medications (91.9%). In terms of knowledge, the majority (88.5%) acknowledged the potential harm associated with misuse, with addiction (60.2%) being the most recognized side effect. Despite this awareness, a significant proportion (45.4%) focused on usage instructions rather than side effects when reading package information.

Conclusion:
A significant proportion of participants resort to codeine medications, primarily because of their easy accessibility from pharmacies without a prescription. By addressing the gaps in knowledge and behaviour, public health efforts can strive towards safer and more informed medication practices within the community.

Key words: Opioid Misuse, drug abuse, public health intervention, self-medication, substance dependence