Codeine Reaction Deaths in Children Prompt FDA Warning for Post-Surgery Pain Relief Use

The apparent increased risk following the deaths of several children has led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a warning against the use of codeine as a pain reliever for children after surgery. In an article titled, “Is Post-Surgery Codeine a Risk for Kids?” the FDA points out the potential danger.

The FDA points out that it is fairly common for children to be prescribed codeine for pain relief following surgery. According to the agency, however, at least three children between the ages of 2 and 5 reportedly died after receiving codeine for pain relief. The drug was given to the children who had undergone surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids.

In their warning, the FDA is urging parents to watch for possible serious side effects in children who had been given codeine. The FDA suggests that, if any of the following side effects are observed, you should take your child to the emergency room immediately or call 911:
– Unusual sleepiness; difficult to wake up
– Disorientation or confusion
– Labored or noisy breathing
– Blueness on the lips or around the mouth

The FDA report indicates that the deadly reaction to codeine appears to be linked to children who are “ultra-rapid metabolizers,” meaning that their liver converts codeine to morphine in higher-than-normal amounts. Doctors can perform a test to check a child for ultra-rapid metabolism prior to prescribing codeine.