A Consuming Experience

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46 Comment(s):

Thanks for your observations. I have the same reactions to codeine. It would be useful if someone compiled all the codeine (morphine) derivates like percocette and others. They provoke the same severe nausea reaction. Also, most commonly, the post operative self-administered analgesic contains some kind of morphine. One needs to be alert. Thanks. A

(By  Anonymous, at Thursday, September 08, 2005 4:04:00 AM)  Edit Comment

My aunt seems to be allergic to morphine patchs and pills but while in the hospital they gave it to her intraveinously and she was fine. Nothing else seems to work for her post herpatic neuralgia. Any suggestions?

(By  Anonymous, at Tuesday, September 20, 2005 9:15:00 PM)  Edit Comment

Thanks for the comments. If people are willing to post info about morphine/codeine derivatives they know about, I am happy to list them here.

Sorry, no thoughts about your aunt's position - is there anyone in the medical profession around who has any ideas?

(By  Improbulus, at Friday, September 23, 2005 10:27:00 PM)  Edit Comment

If an allergic response follows oral medication but not IV, it may be the binder or other "inert" ingredients in the pill that the patient is reacting to.
"Allergy" is often over used term. Many people have unpleasant side effects to various medications. This does not mean they are allergic to them. Erythomycin makes me sick to my stomach. That's not an allergy. That's just erythomycin being its chaming self. Tylenol turns me pink and itchy all over. That's an allergy.

(By  Anonymous, at Tuesday, October 18, 2005 3:27:00 PM)  Edit Comment

Point taken Anon, but I'm no medic so I used the term "allergic" very loosely - for "bad reaction to". Hopefully non-medicos will get the drift.

(By  Improbulus, at Thursday, October 20, 2005 1:02:00 AM)  Edit Comment

please, please do NOT follow the advice here. Codeine can kill you if your allergy to it is severe enough. Do not take a chance by taking it just to discover if you have this allergy. That is down right foolish.

(By  Anonymous, at Wednesday, December 28, 2005 12:49:00 PM)  Edit Comment

I hope people who read my blog will read it more carefully than "anonymous" did (the last comment above).

The thrust of my post was that it would be wise to find out sooner rather than later whether you have a codeine allergy. IF you have ever taken something like Solpadeine and it made you feel ill, then that might be a clue that you might be allergic, and you should definitely get your position checked out by a medical professional. I never said you should take codeine just to find out!

I never thought anyone looking at my blog would be daft enough to take codeine just to see if they're allergic to it, but as someone has clearly been stupid enough to misread my post as suggesting that very thing, I will edit it now to make it absolutely clear that I've never suggested that, don't suggest it, and wouldn't suggest it! Clear enough??

(By  Improbulus, at Wednesday, December 28, 2005 11:54:00 PM)  Edit Comment

I had a bad experience finding out I was allergic. I got extremely cold..then burning hot where I stripped off my clothes. Then I got naseous, but because the pain in my chest was overbearing, I couldn't vomit. Then my mother was over me asking if I was ok (I passed out). Yeah...I would put that experience in my top 3 worst feelings category.

(By  Only_Nice_Drinkin_Rum, at Thursday, January 19, 2006 5:26:00 AM)  Edit Comment

Yeah completely agree, the constant throwing up is not nice at all. I almost feel I should wear a tag saying "Do not administer morphine". I mean I don't seem to be fatally allergic to it, luckily, but still I'd really rather not have it if there are other painkillers available.

(By  Improbulus, at Friday, January 20, 2006 5:24:00 PM)  Edit Comment

If I am allergic to codeine would I also be allergic to morphine?

(By  Anonymous, at Wednesday, February 08, 2006 6:31:00 PM)  Edit Comment

Well I'm no medical expert but that may well be, as they're related drugs - I just Googled them, see e.g. this page which says (as I'd heard) that most medical codeine is a morphine derivative. Best check with a doctor/chemist/pharmacist to be sure.

(By  Improbulus, at Friday, February 10, 2006 1:05:00 PM)  Edit Comment

I can relate to the codeine problem!!!! Here is my story...I was in a car accident and hit my head on the windshield, was taken to the ER with a hematoma ( bruise w/ bump) on my forehead. nothing serious! I was given codeine to take for pain when released. I took the codeine the next morning and immediately started getting VERY sick!!!! I head felt like it was going to expload, I couldn't even walk it was so tremendous, I was shaking and crying. I called my parents to come and get me!!! I was crying in agony and felt like death!!! Mean while, not having a clue that It could be a drug reaction at all! But I was fine, just bruised, and didn't have any problems until I took the codiene. I lasted about 2 hours until I started literally "projectile vomiting". At the time I was a nursing student and learned that this vomiting happen from increase intracranial pressure (in brain). I had to be rushed to the ER again!!!! The light in the ER almost killed me!!! I was in a fetal position and near the end of my tolerance. I was given something intraveneously, but I am not sure what it was! I thought I had died and gone to heaven as soon as the drug was pushed!!! I had total relief of all pain without any drugged feeling. WOW Thank god for that nurse!!! So, I was brought in for a CAT scan and nothing was wrong. So, a year later I had a toothache so the dentist gave me a lortab. I took it and got near the same reaction that I had when I took morphine. It was so bad I forgot all about my toothache!!!! I was violently shaking, I knocked everything off the walls in my house, I vomited violently!!!! I was alone, and thought I would never get through it! I got in the shower and stayed there for hours until finally It calmed down. I can only assume that codiene, oxycodone, and hydracode are all equally toxic to me. I am not sure about morphine! I am working on determining what was given to my in the ER to stop the pain. When I do I will list and would like to get to the bottom of this mystery with my body and pain medicine. OH, very important, I can take darvocet, which is perpoxyphine!!!!! Its a lifesaver, since I suffer migraines. I only take it in emergency migraines. Thanks, please post if you have any comments. I am interested in your opions. mrs. RN....

(By  kikinurse, at Wednesday, February 15, 2006 9:05:00 AM)  Edit Comment

My mom is allergic to morphine. She kept telling the docs that when she was is hospital, she thinks it caused her first heart problem. However they gave it to her again, and 2 hours later her heart stopped and she had to be resusitated. All she was in for was to have her gaul bladder removed. Allergies to medication is a dangerous thing.

(By  TrixDemon, at Monday, March 20, 2006 11:19:00 AM)  Edit Comment

Thanks for your comments kikinurse and Disturbed Muse.

Looks like Oxycodone and hydracode might be things to avoid, from your experience Kikinurse (maybe the "cod" means they've got codeine in them? Don't know, haven't had a chance to check them out yet). Like I said I'm no medico so I don't know about them, or darvocet/perpoxyphine. Useful to hear that info though.

Disturbed Muse, sorry to hear about your mom. I wonder if we should wear a "Don't give me codeine/morphine" bracelet, sometimes! It's odd that she told the docs and they still gave her morphine. Yes, being allergic to the very stuff that should help you is not a good thing!

(By  Improbulus, at Friday, March 24, 2006 9:42:00 AM)  Edit Comment

I'm glad to find this blog. I have had several severe reactions to opiates and opiate derivatives, (and one very sever one to IV Valium) and had a very hard time trying to tell medical professionals "please do not give me that stuff, I have very bad reactions to it." The doctors and nurses most common response is "well, opiates cause the side effects you are explaining." They simply don't get the message that a pulse rate of 20 from taking 1 Percocet, isn't simply a "side effect", and if it is, then they need to take the stuff off the market completely. Anymore I just listen to my body and my own intuition. I'm convinced that most of the medical profession will kill you if you allow them to take full responsibility for your health. Today I try my best to stay well informed and make my own decisions about how I care for my health. I told doctors for 30 years that opiates made me sick and the reactions got worse and worse each time they insisted I take it, and I've only had it maybe 10 times in all my 50 years.

Thanks for speaking out about this.

(By  Anonymous, at Tuesday, May 16, 2006 6:15:00 AM)  Edit Comment

Thanks for your comment. I'm surprised the medical professionals you've encountered don't take your bad reaction to opiates seriously - or maybe I shouldn't be...

(By  Improbulus, at Tuesday, May 16, 2006 11:51:00 PM)  Edit Comment

I was given codeine for a wrist injury at A&E and had a very bad reaction to it. It's very frightening when you tell the doctors you feel faint, they tell you to breathe slowly and you won't!! But I did, twice, aswell as vomiting constantly. It took a kind nurse to recognise the signs, as she had had the same experience, to tell me I would feel better in 24 hrs.

(By  Anonymous, at Saturday, May 20, 2006 7:27:00 AM)  Edit Comment

It certainly sounds as if the medical profession as a whole ought to be better educated as to the possibility of people have a bad reaction to morphine or codeine. I wonder if anyone researched into what percentage of the population suffers like this? Is it only very few of us, or is it quite common?

(By  Improbulus, at Monday, May 29, 2006 9:01:00 PM)  Edit Comment

In response to Kikinurse's experience in ER with allergic reaction to morphine ... I had a life threatening reaction to Codeine which nearly caused a heart attack and did cause hyperventilation. I was given an injection of the drug NARCAN which stopped the bad reaction to Codeine. I also had constant vomiting from IV Morphine on another occasion. Even after my stomach was empty I continued to heave and that was after having had a 6 inch incision sewn up on my belly. My sister whose a RN was with me at the time and got a doctor out in the hallway to change my IV pain pump medication to Demerol. Within 20 minutes the vomiting and nausea stopped. What bugs me is that the doctor who gave me the IV Morphine pump knew that Codeine was life threatening for me since I told him that myself minutes before going under anesthesia. I didn't know that Morphine was a derivative of codeine at the time. My preferred pain killers are Toradol (very strong Ibuprofen which might NOT be given more than about 5 consecutive days and might sometimes cause bleeding) and the other is Demerol for no more than one day for me. Unfortunately, these drugs may not be strong enough to kill the pain of a large incision which cuts thru 3 layers of muscle tissue not to mention the cutting and stitching of internal organs. The idea of asking a doctor to let one try other pain drugs for no more than 5 days (5 tablets so they might not think one is over doing it and are not some kind of drug addict)prior to an impending surgey/procedure is one I am currently persuing at the behest of my sister. Trying a pain killer for the first time during or after a serious medical procedure or upon injury clearly is not the best time and you would think that doctors would know that and recommend drug trials for each individual under a controlled setting with a seringe of Narcan at the ready. I think someone might consider having rooms in hospitals or clinics specifically for those drug trials for patients anticipating the need for a pain killer. They would make a fortune not to mention safe thousands of lives and prevent massive suffering. They of course would probably require patients to sign waivers of liability prior to such drug trials. Unfortunately, the only time such progressive changes in medical practices occur is when more patients start suing their hospitals for not having better drug protocols. Hospitals, not to mention medical insurance and pharmacuetical companies clearly sometimes act in my opinion as though they care more about money than they do about preventing pharmacuetical errors and deaths. I think many of the doctors are victims of the institutionilize systems they practice under themselves. I wish they would put up a bigger stink as an organized group about the failings of the way medicine is practiced in hospitals and clinics. Many of them are also brainwashed by the drug companies. I remember telling one of my doctors about the heart palpitations that the drug Seldane was causing me, and his response was that he was taking it daily himself and didn't have any problem with it trying to convince me that it was harmless. Needless to say, I stopped taking it. I was taking Seldane for sinus problems caused not by seasonal allergies, but by the high blood pressure medication I was given. And don't you know that Seldane was later taken off the market I think for causing heart problems. I think doctors might not make hey because they themselves are afraid of being sued and having their license put in jeopardy. They might need to fight for their own rights to be immune from liability by the institutions they work under and by the drug companies to some limited degree so long as they administer and prescribe the drug within the realm of written recommendations. I do not think they should be immune from liability by their patience. How does the American form of capitalism make for such a complex world? And does anyone know of other pain killers that are not derivatives of morphine, codeine or aspirin?

(By  Narcanian Woman, at Monday, July 10, 2006 3:15:00 AM)  Edit Comment

Please try and differentiate an immunologic response (i.e. an allergic reaction or allergy) from a drug side effect (nausea, vomiting etc). The former usually warrants complete avoidance of the offending substance due to the potential for serious harm or death and the latter is possibly treatable via additional medications or use of alternative means i.e. minimizing use when needed.

(By  Anonymous, at Tuesday, July 11, 2006 11:33:00 PM)  Edit Comment

Narcanian Woman thanks for sharing your experience. I've mentioned towards the end of my post alternative painkillers which worked for me (diclofenac sodium with Zoton) but you need to check with your own doctor of course.

Anon, fer goodness' sake, my point isn't to get into semantic arguments about what an "allergy" means in a medical sense. I've no idea about the right technical terminology. My point was to warn people that it may be worth finding out in advance, as in before they need it, whether they might have a bad reaction to morphine derivatives as pain killers. That was all. I've edited my post to put "allergy" in quotes to make that clear.

(By  Improbulus, at Sunday, July 23, 2006 7:46:00 PM)  Edit Comment

Thanks so much for the reply, especially narcanian woman! I did some research and discovered that I was given Toradol ( the strong and only injectable nonsteriodal anti-inflammitory) when I was treated that evening at the ER... Thank GOD I wasn't given any codeine derivatives!!! I really don't think I would have come out alive if that would have happened. I have spoken to several medical professionals, including pharms, and I was told that It was a "normal" to have these side effects! NO WAY!!! That is upsurd!!!! Codeine and/or codeine derivatives should not cause SEVERE pain!!!! I have administered plenty of narcotics to patients, and Never have any of them experienced anything near what happens to me! If that was the case, the drug woud have been band long ago! It should at least relieve some pain in my case..I don't even think that I would have minded the vomiting that much, had my head not felt like it was going to exploid! I suffer from migraines, and promise you that the reaction I received from codeine and lortab didn't even come close! It was almost like I was near a convulsive seizure. I couldn't function and therefore, had to go to the emergency for it!!!! I had no other choice. I was so pitiful and had no idea what was causing the pain! Thank god for Toradol and Darvacet!!! I know that the reaction I experienced was more than just a "common" adverse reaction. I would insist that I am ALLERGIC" to these substances, and would rather suffer with anything else than be submitted to that ever again!!!!!! I have also had a bad (not quite like the codeine) reaction to the antibiotic family "tetracyline", which increases pressure in the brain! Apparently, my body doesn't tolerate this at all! While taking this antibiotic, I had headach and nausea daily for 2 weeks, then discovered it was the drug causing it... I know it all seems strange, but I'm so grateful to share this information with you all and learn of others experiences. I guess we are all the opposite of drug addicts!!!!LOL

(By  kikinurse, at Wednesday, December 27, 2006 8:40:00 AM)  Edit Comment

I had a bad experience three days ago. My mom and grandmother both had bad, bad reactions to morphine and codeine, and told me I probably did as well, but when I had wisdom teeth removed in my 20's, I thought, well I don't know for sure so allowed the oral surgeon to administer morphine. Bad idea..you do not want to be thowing up for hours non stop right after tooth extraction.

A week ago, I started having abdominal pain for four days, worse at night, so went to a walk in clinic as we are away from home. Dr. there did tests and x-ray and determined it was not serious and sent me home with Tramadol. I had told him carefully and explicitly that I could NOT take codeine or morphine, or any synthetic versions (Vicodin) or any derivitives. I had been given Vicodin after a bad back injury and it made me very ill. After taking two Tramadol pills as instructed Thurs night, I woke up Friday with overwhelming nausea... horrible, then the vomiting started.... when I was empty, the dry heaves and retching went on and on and on.... I was shaking, trembling, sweating, unreal... I am 68 and have never had anything like it. I ended up in the ER having IV fluids and anti nausea drug phenegran IV as well (thank goodness for that drug) After two hours to deliver the Iv and doing tests, , nothing else was discovered and I was sent home. The next day when I felt better, I researched Ultran and generic version Tramadol, and saw the word CODEINE.. I agree with the others on this site who say the drs do not listen.. they either do not believe the severity of the vomiting or something.. I do not understand it... I cannot imagine having this reaction after a large surgical incision! And the pain was not relived by much. I think I will stick to aspirin, advil and tylenol. One study said that tylenol was superior to Tramadol for post op pain! without codeine!
Thanks for all the other posts.

(By  susie sarasota, at Monday, January 08, 2007 6:30:00 PM)  Edit Comment

Thanks for sharing your story Susie. I now know to avoid Vicodin too!

It's horrendous that doctors should still give you morphine/codeine derivatives when you've specifically told them you react badly to them, and other alternatives are available (though they may carry with them their own, separate, risks, e.g. I've since read that diclofenac sodium, which I now have on prescription as an alternative heavy duty painkiller when needed, might not be good for the heart).

I've been lucky in that doctors I've seen have listened and prescribed me alternatives. Maybe the moral is always to ask them exactly what they are prescribing, and also ask "That doesn't contain morphine or codeine or a derivative does it?"

(By  Improbulus, at Friday, January 12, 2007 12:30:00 PM)  Edit Comment

Hey all,

FYI - allergic response to an opiate (ie. morphine, codeine) is severe in around 0.2% of people. 0.02% of people are sensitive enough for death to result.

While alot of you have criticised the medicos for giving you these pain meds despite your bad reactions (and rightly so), be aware that the reactions you've been describing (vomiting, fainting, etc) are on the 'mild' end of the spectrum and, as some have suggested, can possibly be considered 'side effects' and not true allergic responses.

Even though you feel like death, they're not likely to be life-threatening. Unfortunately, the doc's seemed to have recognised this, without recognising the distress it is likely to cause you.

Best to steer clear and be firm with doc's - they can't administer something against your will in the majority of circumstances, if you just make that perfectly clear.

Good luck all,

Winkel
(med student)

Special note to disturbed muse, sorry to hear of your experience - the opiates can cause a decrease in blood pressure but are unlikely to cause cardiac arrest directly as such: hopefully (and i say that in the most caring way), your mum's reaction was due to an underlying cardiac condition that has since been sorted out. Nevertheless, be firm with doc's!!

(By  Winkel, at Thursday, January 18, 2007 2:50:00 AM)  Edit Comment

Winkel, thanks for your very helpful comment.

You are right that in most cases the bad reaction is a side effect rather than a true life-threatening allergic response. If there is absolutely no choice, if no other option is possible and you have to be administered morphine/codeine or die, then of course it's better to suffer a bad side effect.

Nevertheless, as you say the distress it causes ought to be recognised. If there are alternative painkillers which could be used doctors should use them, particularly as, in most situations when morphine/codeine is likely to be needed, the extra distress can only exacerbate the situation (e.g. post-surgery, it won't help the recovery).

(By  Improbulus, at Monday, January 22, 2007 9:00:00 AM)  Edit Comment

this is all interesting. i am allergic to morphine. a true allergic reaction to morphine results in anaphilactic shock. most people experience what you describe because they were given an over dose.

i know this because i stopped breathing when i was given morphine in a drip. at first it was thought that i was over dosed. however, it turns out, that as rare as true morphine allergies are i actually am allergic.

the thing is i can have other opiates like codine. i have been through several clinics and tests to learn all of this.

just wanted to add my two cents.

(By  Mike, at Tuesday, January 30, 2007 7:23:00 AM)  Edit Comment

Mike, thanks for sharing your own experiences. It's interesting, your point about overdoses. They ought to tailor the size of the dose to the patient (e.g. I shouldn't be given the same amount as a 6' tall man for the same effect!) but sometimes I wonder if they do.

I'm glad at least you can have codeine even if morphine is dangerous to you. Do you wear a bracelet or the like to indicate that you can't be given morphine in case of accidents?

(By  Improbulus, at Wednesday, January 31, 2007 9:08:00 AM)  Edit Comment

Where can you find alternative painkillers to those containing morphine or codeine?

(By  Anonymous, at Sunday, March 25, 2007 3:46:00 PM)  Edit Comment

Anon, in my post I've mentioned a couple which worked for me, though you should always consult a medical professional on what's suitable for you personally. And my first port of call for alternative painkillers would definitely be a doctor.

(By  Improbulus, at Sunday, March 25, 2007 10:16:00 PM)  Edit Comment

All very enlightening... just to clarify from a pharmacist's point of view:

codeine is not so much a derivative of morphine. Codeine, and most opioids in this class, get metabolised TO morphine, the active metabolite being morphine-3-glucuronide.

The ideal professional for anyone to consult on these matters is a registered practising pharmacist (=chemist). This should be your first port of call, not google.

True morphine allergy occurs in less than 1% of the population.

'Allergies' are very fashionable it seems.

Valium is not an opioid.

An expected reaction to first use of morphine (called a type A adverse drug reaction, AKA side effect) includes nausea, vomiting and sedation. This is NOT allergy, which would only be indicated by anaphylaxis, swelling of the throat etc.

Tolerance to the predicatable unwanted effects of morphine (except constipation) results in 4-7 days normally, which is why an antiemetic is given alongside for this initial period.

It would be a shame to think that patients are not benefiting from morphine and the like because of a perceived allergy. Was the allergy documented at the time? We frequently see 'allergies' to penicillin which, on questioning, turn out to be diarrhoea.

about the overdose point, it is difficult to overdose on morphine when used properly: a low dose (5-10mg every 4h) initiated slowly and titrated upwards in the right percentage. It does not get calculated on body surface area.

(By  Anonymous, at Thursday, June 07, 2007 8:35:00 PM)  Edit Comment

Thanks for the pharmacist's view, Anon, and the explanation of what the active ingredient is that some of us react to badly - so it's morphine-3-glucuronide and drugs that contain it, is that right?

Yes I've had that nausea etc, but not just on the first use of morphine - every one. Which is why I avoid it. I didn't realise you could get an antiemetic to counteract the morphine. The nurses etc could see me miserably throwing up, and no one EVER offered me an antiemetic.

Instead, when I've subsequently said I morphine makes me throw up, the medicos have simply given me an alternative drug. Not morphine plus antiemetic.

Why is it a shame? Do you think morphine is the best painkiller and therefore it should be used in combination with an antiemetic, instead of switching e.g. to diclofenac sodium (which is what I was given as an alternative)?

(By  Improbulus, at Saturday, June 09, 2007 7:40:00 PM)  Edit Comment

morphine,codeine..heroin and methadone to be added as well.The 'good side'of this "allergy'to opiates-less addictions.

(By  Anonymous, at Sunday, June 17, 2007 8:03:00 PM)  Edit Comment

I was enlightened by the blogs on various morphine/codeine allergies. However, I had a very scary incident that I wonder if a professional could enlighten me on. I had an outpt. procedure and was premedicated with vicodin. I had the usual sleepiness initially with the vicodin, but then had cold sweating,hot and cold spells,bradycardia then tachycardia and difficulty controlling my breathing. EMS was called and my heart rate was 150's with a BP of 150/80. (I normally have a HR of 50-60 and a BP of 90/50). I went to the ER and the MD blew me off-gave me fluid and sent me home. THe next day, I woke up and felt like I could not sit still. I had intense itching (no rash though) and felt crazy-I was manic and went back to ER where I paced and paced because I simply could not sit still. I kept itching and feeling as if I was crazy. THe ER doc said this reaction could last for several days but I could find no evidence in the PDR about this type of pschy reaction. I am a normally calm, rationale person, but I must admit this reaction persisted for approx 5 days (ie feeling panicky, manic and itchy). It was quite scary. Does anyone have insight or experience with this tpe of reaction? By the way morphine does not relieve pain and made me have paranoia /hallucinations with 1 dose.

(By  Anonymous, at Sunday, June 17, 2007 10:43:00 PM)  Edit Comment

the itching is normal in the use of opiates,along with the paranoia and throwing up.Can last for a couple of days maximum.

(By  Anonymous, at Monday, June 25, 2007 5:45:00 AM)  Edit Comment

Anon, good to know those of us with a bad reaction to morphine aren't ever likely to take to heroin etc!

Vicodin - sounds like you had a worse than usual experience. Thanks for the enlightenment, Anon.

By the way please can people leave a pseudonym or initials when commenting, you don't have to give your email or website when you do so - makes it easier when replying to comments, there's an awful lot of "anonymous"es on here! Ta.

(By  Improbulus, at Monday, June 25, 2007 8:48:00 AM)  Edit Comment

Just choose Other and put in some initials, no webpage necessary, before hitting Publish.

(By  Improbulus, at Monday, June 25, 2007 8:48:00 AM)  Edit Comment

According to my allergist, I do have a true codeine allergy-- hives inside my throat and externally on my neck as well as facial and tongue swelling--and I do wear an ID bracelet identifying two medical conditions and two true allergies (penicillin and codeine). My regular doc (a GP), who knew I was allergic to codeine, prescribed tramadol and provided some Ultram samples to me in May for my fibromyalgia pain. Since I am so sensitive to medication, I didn't take the Ultram samples and went to the pharmacy to fill out the tramadol Rx (lower dosage, short-term use whereas Ultram lasts 24 hours). Thank goodness I asked to speak to the pharmacist since it was the first time I was going to take the medication (I can veryyy cautious). It was the pharmacist who said, "I see you have an allergy to codeine. You cannot take this medication or Ultram if you are allergic to codeine because they are derivatives." I never had a chance to tell my original doc because he closed up his practice after 17 years (moved to work in an ER across the state line), but it was news to my new doc (internal med) who didn't know that tramadol/Ultram are derivatives of codeine.

I just think there are so many meds for the docs to remember that you specifically need to ask the docs to look up in the PDR possible reactions and precautions with any drug they are going to presribe to you if you have severe allergies or are very sensitive medication like I am.

I also wanted to mention that like Anon who posted on June 17, I had an absolutely horrible reaction to vicodin over 20 years ago when it was given to me for migraines. It was pretty much the same reaction as Anon had. My mom said I went absolutely bonkers--babbling, crying, pacing and pacing and pacing (I was home visiting for the holidays) for two days. I later told a doc about the reaction and he said that vicodin, can in some rare cases, create a sort of psychotic reaction. After that, Vicodin, along with Soma and Oxycodone (I sob uncontrollably when I take either one) are on my list of "bad reaction" drugs that I carry with me. And, to top it off I had a doc who tried to have a nurse inject Vicodin into me in the ER to relieve the excrutiating pain from a broken heel after I told him that I had a horrible reaction to it! I was told later that I screamed at him and at the nurse saying, "How dare you give me something I just told you I can't have! I'll sue your a** if you, the nurse, or someone else gives it to me!" Apparently the loud screaming stopped him in his tracks (I'm pretty sure the screaming was the result of the excrutiating pain of the broken heel). So, now I carry a bright pink index card with me in my purse listing my alleriges, illnesses and conditions, drugs I have bad reactions to, and drugs and vitamins I take (dosages, number of times per day, and what they are for).

(By  southwesterner, at Monday, July 23, 2007 2:36:00 AM)  Edit Comment

Thanks for sharing your experiences Southwesterner.

You're absolutely right about doctors needing to look things up, and the importance of asking them to check whether what they're recommending could be a derivative of what you're allergic to.

It's hard to believe that doctors will insist on giving you stuff you tell them you can't take, but I've heard too many horror stories of the arrogance (or something else!) of some doctors - not all, of course - don't blame you for screaming at him, that probably saved you from getting injected with it.

Hope your card will work, though I would have some concern that someone who is prepared to ignore what you tell them will equally ignore the card too/

(By  Improbulus, at Saturday, July 28, 2007 8:06:00 PM)  Edit Comment

I had a severe reaction to codeine when given some pills to deal with pain after having a root canal. After mentioning it to my mom, she told me that she too had a horrible reaction. I've made sure that my children know about this.

An acupuncturist friend commented that many people have reactions to opiates, so I know that at least alternative therapists know this. I would assume that doctors would know it as well and mention it to their patients. Why don't they??

Here's another reason to be cautious: some people are ultrafast metabolizers of codeine. This is especially dangerous for mothers who breastfeed their children because it can affect their baby. In the past year a healthy 13-day-old breastfed baby died from an overdose of morphine (which, as someone mentioned previously, is what codeine turns into after it is processed by the body).

Apparently there's a genetic test that can reveal if you are a rapid metabolizer of codeine and other drugs. I hope that more work is done in this area because every BODY is different and drugging us in the same way is probably a fairly crude method of treatment.

According to a Wall Street Journal article, the following populations have the most rapid metabolizers:
people of North African, Ethiopian and Saudi Arabian backgrounds.

"One test that can show how people metabolize several types of drugs, including codeine, is made by Roche Diagnostics. A spokeswoman for the company said labs typically charge between $500 and $1000 for the test."

(By  NEG, USA, at Monday, August 20, 2007 4:27:00 PM)  Edit Comment

Thanks for the info NEG. Maybe doctors don't mention this because they think opiates are the best painkillers and would rather their patients were constantly throwing up than in pain. Who knows. If there's an alternative painkiller that's as effective, or almost as effective, I'd rather have that - but if there isn't, maybe that's why the medics put us through it?

Interesting to hear about the rapid metabolisation issue. Can't say I'm surprised - everyone is an individual, as you say, I recall reading about how drugs tested only on men can have a radically different effect on women.

But short of drugs personalised to your exact individual genome (and that may come one day), I'm not sure what can be done apart from testing on the major known groups e.g. women vs. men, main ethnic groups etc. And of course all that costs.

(By  Improbulus, at Wednesday, August 22, 2007 1:47:00 PM)  Edit Comment

I had some sort of opiate as pre op medication back in the 70's and had a reaction where my leg where the shot was administered get huge and red. Since then, I have had my med files tagged with the allergic to opiates sticker. Now docs tell me that noone is actually allergic to opiates? They now say that one of the agents in the shot is the culprit. Does this make sense? What can I take instead? I am considering abdominal surgery and am worried about the pre op and post op meds.

(By  Carol, at Saturday, August 25, 2007 7:41:00 PM)  Edit Comment

Carol, well it sounds like at least one commenter above has a true codeine allergy!

You really should discuss this with your medical advisers, they should be taking a full history before your surgery so make sure you tell them about your bad reaction in the 70's and that you're worried about it. Surely if you stress the point they can't ignore it.

(By  Improbulus, at Tuesday, August 28, 2007 6:05:00 PM)  Edit Comment

i had a shot in the m. room and by the time i got home i was buring up and felt like my body was squeezing itself to deatj . this was a horrible night and then the vomiting started . i felt like death would be better . took my nasuea pill and finally went to sleep . still fell like i have been run over . is this a horror stor or what ==she

(By  Anonymous, at Sunday, October 14, 2007 2:21:00 AM)  Edit Comment

What do people do? I am allergic to all the pain killers excpet torodol. Morphine, and any derivitives causes me hives, codine causes cererbral edema,.. I have severe chronic pain with no relief. The only one I am not allergic to is phentenol, for some reason, but you cant take that at home. Darvocet even makes me break out in a chest burning rash. To make it worse, I am allergic to all antibitoics. Allergist cant find one I can take. This is torture. I had a doctor that didnt believe me once, shot me up with morphine, and I broke out in hives and couldnt breath. His comment, I guess you were not exagerating after all" ... ugggg

(By  wendy, at Monday, January 14, 2008 2:55:00 AM)  Edit Comment

Late post here, but it just happened to me recently. I took Tylenol with codeine as given by the oral surgeons (wisdom tooth extraction) and had severe painful leg cramps. I mean PAINFUL. It was incredible, I'd never felt anything like it (nor do I want to again).

Family doctor said it was a rare occurance that wasn't an allergy but was a nervous system response. He actually mentioned the name of it, I asked him to write it down but he ended up writing something we'd talked about previously, but I've forgotten what it was called, I'll have to ask him for the name of the reaction again.

As for the person who said that codeine turns into morphine when taken by the body, that's not entirely true. A small percentage of codeine is metabolized into morphine but not nearly all of it.

-D.J.

(By  Anonymous, at Thursday, January 31, 2008 5:33:00 PM)  Edit Comment

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