Codeine toxicity via breast Milk: Can this occur and implications for opiate therapy in children

Key Points

• This research aims to explore the risks associated with codeine use during breastfeeding and its effects on infants.
• Review of literature regarding codeine use in breastfeeding mothers.
• Analysis of reports on adverse effects related to genetic differences in drug metabolism.
• Consideration of clinical implications for treating infants exposed to codeine in breast milk.
• Codeine can pose serious toxicity risks to infants through breast milk due to variable metabolism affected by genetic polymorphisms.
• Healthy breastfeeding mothers may unknowingly expose their infants to potentially harmful levels of codeine.
• Clinicians are urged to assess the risks and consider alternative pain relief options for breastfeeding mothers.