Is Dihydrocodeine compatible with breastfeeding? Do we have alternatives for Dihydrocodeine?

Dihydrocodeine

July 15, 2017 (Low Risk)

Used for pain and cough relief. As analgesic it is not more effective than Ibuprofen. The enzyme cytochrome P450-CYP2D6 catalyzes its metabolization into dehydromorphine.

On date of latest update relevant data concerning breastfeeding were not found.

Product with similar characteristics than Codeine but with lower oral bioavailability which would be advantageous for breastfed infants. Codeine is excreted into breast milk in non-significant amount, however, serious health problems have appeared among off-spring of mothers who are rapid metabolizers from Codeine to Morphine.

Discontinue if excessive sedation appears in mother or infant, and, do not administer if such a background in mother or family is present, as there are between 1% and 29% of people who are rapid metabolizers from codeine to morphine with an excess of the gene linked to enzyme P450-CYP2D6.


See below the information of this related product:

Alternatives

Very Low Risk

Compatible. Not risky for breastfeeding or infant.

Low Risk

Moderately safe. Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended. Read the Comment.

High Risk

Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully. Use a safer alternative. Read the Comment.

Very High Risk

Not recommended. Cessation of breastfeeding or alternative.

Writings

  • ثنائي هيدروكودئين (Arabic)
  • Дигидрокодеин (Cyrillic)
  • 双氢可待因 (Chinese)
  • ジヒドロコデイン (Japanese)

References

  1. Edwards JE, McQuay HJ, Moore RA. Single dose dihydrocodeine for acute postoperative pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000Abstract
  2. Rowell FJ, Seymour RA, Rawlins MD. Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and oral dihydrocodeine and its acid metabolites. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1983Abstract