Perceptual Discrepancies of Opioid Analgesics and Psychotropic Drugs: A Cross-Sectional Study of Korean Patients and Physicians.

ABSTRACT: Background: Opioid analgesics and psychotropic drugs (medical narcotics) are essential for treating pain and psychiatric disorders. Unlike tiered classification systems used globally, Korea uniformly classifies these medications with illicit drugs under a single narcotics category. This creates misunderstandings among patients and physicians. This study investigates perceptions of medical narcotics, assesses awareness of the Narcotics Information Management System (NIMS), and proposes strategies to prevent misuse and abuse. Methods: A cross-sectional survey from September 2021 to June 2025 enrolled 322 patients prescribed opioid analgesics or psychotropic drugs for ≥180 days per year and surveyed 300 physicians via email. Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies (p

SUBMITTER: Lee Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12609944 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature