The FDA has just come out with information in regards to the active ingredient known as codeine, present in cold and cough medicine, is extremely dangerous for small children. This drug is currently prescribed to no more than 870,000 children in the United States for suppressing a cough, rashes, sinus infections, vomiting and constipation. An overdose, or abuse of cough and cold medicine containing codeine could cause severe breathing difficulties.
THIS ISN’T THE FIRST FDA WARNING about cough medicine
Previously, the Food and Drug Administration has issued a strong warning against giving children codeine in post-surgical treatments. The FDA examined the possible risks associated with cough medicine and raising awareness of the fact that codeine can have life threatening side effects to children.
CODEINE AFFECTS THE WAY THE BRAIN DEALS WITH PAIN
Codeine is widely known to have a large impact on the way the brain processes pain. It acts to decrease the activity in parts of the brain that causes pain. Once it is in the body, the body converts codeine into opium morphine, a drug that has very dangerous side effects. There is a very high risk of overdosing on codeine, as peoples bodies are designed to convert codeine at different speeds.
AN OVERDOSE of cough medicine CAN TURN INTO A LARGE DOSE OF OPIUM MORPHINE IN THE BLOOD
This high risk of overdosing can be dangerous. The codeine ingested can be converted too quickly and turn into a lethal dose of opium morphine that can affect breathing and brain processes. However, if it takes a longer amount of time to convert, patients sometimes double the dose and expose themselves to these very dangerous side effects. An overdose of codeine can lead to very high levels of morphine in the blood stream.
Codeine pills and cough medicine that combats severe cough seizures are popular and give an easy way to relieve the cough. The FDA is now taking actions that mirror the European Medicines Agency, under which codeine is restricted to children under 12. The European Medicines Agency also recommends that codeine isn’t for those from 12 to 18 who have chronic breathing problems such as asthma.
