Concern about codeine and kids
Codeine is prescribed to hundreds of thousands of children each year, even though several organizations warn against it.
Codeine can be used to treat young patients with a painful injury or severe cough. But the drug can slow breathing and even cause death in some children. So, experts say doctors should use other medications like ibuprofen or hydrocodone.
Researchers at Stanford looked at hospital records from 2001 to 2010. They found about three percent of patients were prescribed codeine each year, which is between 500,000 - 800,000 kids.