Without careful prescription and monitoring, they are certainly more dangerous than the so-called "simple" analgesics (paracetamol/acetaminophen and the NSAIDs)

Without careful prescription and monitoring, they are certainly more dangerous than the so-called "simple" analgesics (paracetamol/acetaminophen and the NSAIDs). Each year there are many deaths related to prescription opioids[1] and they do result in long-term damage. Some commenters here seem to like codeine. It should be considered at least as dangerous as morphine (which it is metabolised to). Depending on your genetic background, you may poorly metabolise codeine (causing it to be ineffective), or you may metabolise codeine too effectively (causing it to cause respiratory depression, low oxygen levels and possibly death). The tide is gradually moving against it[2], but not quickly enough in my opinion. With all pain, the safest treatments don't involve drugs. [1] http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6450a3.htm http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6450a3.htm [2] http://www.nps.org.au/publications/health-professional/health-news-evidence/2015/codeine-related-deaths http://www.nps.org.au/publications/health-professional/healt...