Codeine is primarily prescribed for which purpose?

Codeine is an opioid medication primarily prescribed for the relief of minor to moderate pain. It is effective because it works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which helps to decrease the perception of pain and the emotional response to pain. This makes it particularly suitable for treating conditions where pain relief is necessary but does not require stronger, more potent opioids often reserved for severe pain management.

While it is true that the other options mention conditions that may require treatment, codeine does not effectively address neurological conditions, severe anxiety, or major depressive episodes. Neurological conditions often require more specific treatments tailored to the disorder’s nature, anxiety disorders might be treated with anxiolytics or antidepressants, and major depressive episodes are typically managed with antidepressant medications or psychotherapy. Thus, codeine's primary use remains focused on providing minor pain relief.