Doctors warn of codeine risks after case of acute confusion in girl, 14

Lack of efficacy and risk of intoxication and addiction suggest use of over-the-counter codeine drugs may be unwarranted, says report

Doctors have issued a warning about the use of over-the-counter medicines containing codeine following what is believed to be the first published case of acute confusion in a 14-year-old girl.

The risks associated with codeine in cough remedies, both prescribed and otherwise, may be "particularly unnecessary" because of the lack of evidence that they actually work, the experts said.