GPs Warn of Rising Codeine Addiction as Over-the-Counter Drug Misuse Grows in Ireland

General practitioners across Ireland are reporting a significant increase in patients presenting with codeine addiction, with leading doctors warning that the over-the-counter painkiller is fuelling a hidden dependency crisis. Codeine, which is classified as a Schedule 5 controlled drug in Ireland and can be purchased in pharmacies without a prescription, is among the top-selling over-the-counter products in the country. However, GPs say many patients develop a dependency while seeking relief from everyday pain, often without realising the drug's addictive potential. A leading GP told reporters this week that the number of patients presenting with codeine-related issues at treatment services has risen sharply, describing it as a 'timely and urgent' public health concern. 'These are people who started taking it for a headache or back pain and found they couldn't stop,' the doctor said. Research published in the Irish Medical Journal has highlighted that between 2006 and 2016, codeine prescribing for medical cardholders in Ireland increased by 208%. Dependence can develop within days, leading to increased tolerance and severe withdrawal symptoms including nausea, insomnia, sweating, and anxiety. The issue is compounded by the ease with which patients can obtain the drug across multiple pharmacies — a practice known as 'codeine shopping' — and the stigma that prevents many from seeking help. Many codeine-dependent individuals do not identify with traditional addiction services, viewing their dependency as distinct from illicit drug use. Doctors are calling for codeine's legal status to be changed to prescription-only, as has been done in Australia and Italy, and for a centralised monitoring system to track purchases. The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) has urged healthcare professionals to report suspected cases of harm. The Irish Pharmacy Union has also called for greater community pharmacist involvement in identifying and supporting those at risk, while addiction specialists say the current 'one size fits all' approach to opioid treatment does not adequately address the specific needs of codeine-dependent patients.