The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is taking steps to restrict access to cough and pain medications containing codeine for children, as it puts them at risk. Though it is rare, codeine can cause children to stop breathing and die, especially when the liver quickly converts codeine to morphine. The FDA has warned the public of the dangers faced by children who rapidly metabolize codeine since August 2012. A recent FDA advisory committee condemns the use of such medications in children without a proper prescription. In fact, some members of the FDA advisory board believe pain and cough medicines containing codeine should be completely off limits to patients under the age of 18.