Potential Consequences of Codeine Use in Lactating Mothers

摘要

With the recent rescheduling of hydrocodone combination products from schedule III to schedule II by the Drug Enforcement Administration, pre-scribers may select alternative opioids for pain relief in postpartum patients. In nursing mothers, efficacy as well as safety for both the mother and the infant must be carefully considered when selecting an analgesic. Providers frequently prescribe codeine combination products for pain control in postpartum mothers. However, codeine has been associated with central nervous system (CNS) depression in up to 16.7% of breastfeeding neonates with mothers receiving codeine-containing products for management of obstetric pain.