Codeine can turn toxic in nursing mothers

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

Gene transformed drug into morphine, which killed infant

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060510.wxcodeine10/BNStory/National/home

This sounds like a rare occurance to me. It's a little hysterical to print a headline like this. As if it wasn't hard enough to promote breastfeeding.

[Jo Dirt]

They say reactions to vaccines are rare too but to the ones it happens to it doesn't matter how rare it is.

I'm freaked out.

[Jolie, BSN]

Gene transformed drug into morphine, which killed infant

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060510.wxcodeine10/BNStory/National/home

This sounds like a rare occurance to me. It's a little hysterical to print a headline like this. As if it wasn't hard enough to promote breastfeeding.

I agree dawngloves. The article stated that there is only one known death related to this potential side-effect. I in no way mean to minimize that family's loss, but I certainly hope it doesn't result in the removal of a very safe and effective pain reliever.

I can just hear the sleazy lawyer ads now: "Did you breastfeed yur baby? Did your evil, uninformed obstetrician wrecklessly prescribe codeine for your post-delivery pain? Did your baby ever appear sleepy or irritable after nursing? Call me and learn how you can profit unjustifiably by joining our class-action lawsuit!"

[mitchsmom]

I read on another list that in that one case, the mother had a rare inability to metabolize codeine, and in addition, the baby was seen several times by a doctor who missed the warning signs.

We use mostly percocet and motrin anyway, but FWIW...