This article, written by Sidhesh Phaldessai, provides an overview of geriatric psychopharmacology, including the epidemiology of mental health disorders in the older population, the physiological changes that occur with ageing and their impact on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and the use of psychotropic medications in older adults
How to Manage: Codeine reclassification
How to Manage: Codeine reclassification
Concern about the increasing frequency of codeine misuse and abuse resulted in the Medicines Classification Committee recommending that all medicines containing codeine be reclassified as prescription medicines. This came into force on 5 November 2020. Clinical advisory pharmacists Linda Bryant and John Dunlop discuss reasons for this decision and provide tips for pharmacists to help patients with the transition
- Describe the reason for, and evidence supporting, the reclassification of codeine in combination medicines to prescription-only
- Identify the risks associated with codeine use, including those associated with metabolism
- Describe ways in which pharmacists can help patients who can no longer access codeine-containing products
This article has been republished, and access made free to readers, with the support of AFT Pharmaceuticals. The content is entirely independent and based on published studies and the author’s opinion.
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This article has been endorsed by the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand and remains suitable for inclusion in a pharmacist’s continuing education records for continuing professional development purposes until 17/08/2022.