Cough mixture misuse in Hong Kong--an emerging psychiatric problem?

Cough mixture misuse has become a focus of concern in Hong Kong since the late 1980s. Psychiatric admissions related to cough mixture misuse have been reported with increasing frequency during the past 5 years. A retrospective chart review of psychiatric admissions related to cough mixture misuse for a 54-month period was conducted in two psychiatric units in Hong Kong. Twenty-seven subjects were identified. The main psychiatric presentations included acute organic brain syndrome, schizophreniform psychosis and affective episode. They appeared to be associated with the pharmacological activities of opiates, antihistamines and sympathomimetics, the main ingredients of most cough mixtures.