The Australian study has hinted that addiction to painkillers might have major health complications.

The improper usage of over-the-counter analgesics was the "third-most common category of substance abuse in Australia after cannabis and ecstasy", with more than half a million Australians were associated with the same.

According to the analysts detailed reports 27 people were reported clung to codeine and ibuprofen-based painkillers - typically Nurofen Plus - and were one of the reasons for their health hazard.

The side effects linked with the addiction speak of gastrointestinal ruptures, renal failure, anaemia and severe hypokalaemia - low potassium in the blood that might affect irregular heartbeat or paralysis.

The statement by an addiction expert and senior lecturer at Monash University's School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Matthew Frei, stated that patients are reported of consuming painkillers in order to treat a short term ailment and end up having trapped in a vicious circle of consuming multiple packets of tablets.

He further said, "A significant proportion of patients reported initiating use of over-the-counter ... products for painful conditions, including back pain and headaches, and subsequently escalating the dose. A mean dose range of
34 to 47 tablets per day was reported in this case series," he said, while adding that one patient was taking up to 100 tablets a day.