Kamini: An over-the-counter opiate containing Ayurvedic medicine

Kamini Vidrawan Ras is an opiate-containing Ayurvedic medicine marketed as a cure for a wide variety of ailments ranging from impotence to a cure for malaise. Although an illegal import in Australia it is still readily available in some Indian grocery stores. This presentation reviews the literature around Kamini and presents a case series of 12 patients (predominantly from the Indian subcontinent) who presented to Western Health Addiction Medicine Outpatient Clinic who were treated for opioid dependence and opioid use disorder secondary to ingestion of Kamini Vidrawan Ras and who were managed with opioid substitution therapy with good engagement in the program and good recovery capital. This case series highlights the ready availability of this opiate-containing substance and its unregulated usage in Australia and possible further potential for abuse amongst the wider Australian community.

Presenters

Thileepan Naren, Addiction Medicine Advanced Trainee, Western Health

Dr. Naren is an Addiction Medicine Advanced Trainee at Western Health and a co-host of the Cracking Addiction podcast.

Jon Cook, Addiction Medicine Specialist, Western Health

Dr. Cook is an Addiction Medicine Specialist and Head of the Unit for Addiction Medicine at Western Health.

 

Click here to view the Presentation Slides