Myprodol, Mybulen, Benylin C, and Sinutab. What do these medications have in common? For one thing, they share a particular drug ingredient called Codeine.
This is an opioid drug that is often compared to morphine. It’s also used to treat mild to moderate pain. Moreover, if you take them while pregnant or breastfeeding, they could harm you, your unborn baby, and your child. The drug itself does not treat the pain. However, once the drug is metabolized by the body, it turns into morphine. It is this reaction that helps to treat the pain.
In recognition of Pregnancy Awareness week from 12-16 February, DNAlysis Biotechnology hopes to warn parents and expectant mothers about the effects Codeine could have on them and their children.
How does codeine work in humans?
Dr. Danny Meyersfeld, founder and CEO of DNAlysis Biotechnology said, “It is important to understand how your body metabolizes codeine to avoid experiencing overdose symptoms.” According to the Food and Drug Administration in the United States, the side effects of codeine medication include the following:
- trouble breathing
- extreme drowsiness
- Lightheadedness
In fact, America has placed a blanket ban on the use of codeine in children to avoid any risk. Dr. Meyersfeld said that while the U.S. recognizes the risks of Codeine. Many South Africans were still ingesting the drug without fully realizing the effects it could have.
“Not everybody is at risk of experiencing overdose symptoms. Only those who carry a specific genetic variant that makes them ultra-rapid metabolizers are at risk,” Dr. Meyersfeld said.
He further explained what the ultra-rapid metabolizer gene variant is and how it works. “There is an enzyme in the liver which changes codeine into morphine once ingested. This enzyme is called Cytochrome Isoenzyme. It is otherwise recognized as CYP2D6. Individuals with a particular genetic variation on CYP2D6 are ultra-rapid metabolizers. This means that even with the correct amount of codeine, you may experience the symptoms associated with a morphine overdose.”
The problem arises when pregnant or breastfeeding women have this enzyme.
According to research conducted by the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, opioid-based medications (Codeine) are absorbed into breast milk and can affect the baby. Since the adult dosage of codeine is much higher than the dosage a child should have. The child may become physically dependent on the drug. This could lead to them experiencing withdrawal symptoms or becoming dependent on the drug itself.
Dr. Meyersfeld said while there was a risk in some cases, patients were now empowered to ascertain whether their genetic make-up was placed into a high or low-risk category. DNAlysis Biotechnology provides medical practitioners and patients with the tools to improve and maintain health and wellness. One of the tests that is available to the public is mygeneRx. It will tell patients if they are at risk when absorbing medications such as codeine.
“These results can then be used to help guide physicians when prescribing codeine-based medications to you or your child in the future,” Meyersfeld said. “The benefits of using DNA testing for such purposes are huge. The primary benefit is to ensure that as a patient, you are taking the most suitable medication for any given condition at any given time.”
