|
Codeine and Pain Relief - by Eva Ettedgui RN, CLNC |
from Newsletter - January 2010
Codeine is often found in the form of Tylenol #3, tablets and liquid. This means it contains both codeine and acetaminophen for pain relief. Several European studies have proved that populations as high as 47% are unable to assimilate the pain-relieving effects of codeine due to a certain genetic lack of the enzyme, cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2D6.
In the body, codeine is metabolized, broken down, into its pain relieving component, morphine and then the narcotic level of pain relief occurs. When cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2D6 is lacking, the individual cannot breakdown codeine into morphine and thus is only getting the pain relief of simple Tylenol. Particular attention should be paid to the pediatric population, as post-operative relief with Tylenol #3 liquid for babies and children can mean no pain relief at all.
|
