Cough syrup abuse can lead to death in young children
Codeine-containing products, such as cough syrup, can cause serious side effects, including death, in children under 12 years of age.
 |
Canadian scientists say that although the human body is capable of converting codeine into morphine to quickly relieve pain, in some cases the conversion process occurs too quickly, causing the user to go into shock and fall into a state of drowsiness, dizziness or sudden difficulty breathing. If not detected and treated promptly, the risk of death is very high.
For children over 12 years old, the research team also warned of the risk of respiratory failure and sleep apnea, especially those who have recently undergone tonsillectomy.
Codeine is one of the most widely used painkillers in the world. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also issued a warning about the risk of death in children when using codeine painkillers after tonsillectomy.
