I feel sick.... my doctor said my medication was safe during breastfeeding

[lunavix]

I was given codeine by my GP for migraines in late pregnancy, and was told to use them if necessary whenever needed. (I'm allergic to paracetamol.)
Incidentally I was also sent home from hospital with a busload of codeine from having ds 2.5 years ago.

But here has made me feel rather ill.... to what extent does anything think it's true? I assumed it was safe and have been taking it for tonsillitus - dd's behaviour has changed hence reading up on it.... GP at NHS direct said it was fine.

[lunavix]

I've just had a nose through some websites and apparently a tiny minoirty of mothers carry a gene which can make it toxic and poison the baby, who is then lethargic. (Basically backing up what that one says)

How would I find out if it's affected my dd?

[beckybrastraps]

I took it with ds. CERTAINLY didn't make him lethargic. The boy never stopped...

[lunavix]

My problem with dd is she's sleeping more but can't fall asleep. I know it's probably not related but it's stressing me out and now this is too. Argh.

[PandaG]

I def was prescribed codeine while pregnant, no problems with me or DD

[hub2dee]

"This case reveals that polymorphism in CYP2D6 may be life threatening for some breastfed babies. Given that a CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolizer genotype occurs in 1% in Caucasians and up to 30% in some parts of Asia and Africa(5), this polymorphism is clinically important."

Going by the stats it is unlikely, but maybe print out this research and go and talk to your GP again ? Is it feasible to discontinue or subsitute another drug in its place ? FWIW, I imagine if your dd is currently still in good health, you are not one of the one percent ultra-rapid metaboloisers of codeine IYSWIM. If you feel the change in behaviour is striking, or feel she is ill, I'd go back to your GP / A&E as appropriate.

[Gillian76]

That link, Lunavix. It was based on one case?

WHy not give LLL a call or the Breastfeeding Network have a drugs helpline too.

[Gillian76]

drugline

[hub2dee]

Yes, it was one fatality in I don't know how many years of 150,000 women annually breastfeeding whilst taking codeine in Canada, but obviously women take codeine and breastfeed in other countries too, and no other deaths have been attributed to this, so this is incredibly rare. Of course it is also possible that it is so rare that post-mortems don't pick it up, so perhaps this goes unreported ? FWIW, googling some of the key terms did not turn up a whole collection of related studies, so I imagine this would be hughly isolated /rare.

[sallyrosie]

The article highlights one case, and the mother was also experiencing symptoms, she was also taking a pretty high dose of 60mg four times a day. Considering how many thousands of women must use this drug and there has only been one case I'd not be too worried.
The amount of codeine in breastmilk is really small.

I think this mum was just extremely unlucky.

[JINGLEBELLgianbun]

I was given this IN LABOUR, IN PRGENANCY and WHILST bf!!! Sorry to shout but we are both fine. . Everything carries a risk, including childbirth {aaaargh} I wouldn't worry!

[littleducks]

Im have had similar probs with dd, didnt take any medication so t could just be one of those lovely stages babies go through totally unrelated to the codeine.