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Moms Warned of Codeine Risk in Breast Milk

FDA: Watch out for signs of overdose in babies

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Aug 18, 2007 8:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Federal Food and Drug Administration has warned nursing mothers using codeine to be on the lookout for any signs of unusual drowsiness in their babies. A significant number of women have a gene that can concentrate high levels of the painkiller in their breast milk. Last year, a Canadian newborn died of a morphine overdose traced to a mother with the gene.

Codeine, which is transformed to morphine in the body, is frequently prescribed after child birth. An FDA official warned that nursing mothers should contact their physicians or go to an emergency room if they notice signs of codeine overdose in their babies, including extreme sleepiness, limpness, or feeding or breathing difficulties.

It's time to eat! ((c) Missty)

Pudge drinking ((c) viralbus)

Ce qu'Anne-Laure voit ((c) dao hodac)

breastfeeding ((c) Nabeel H)

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Moms Warned of Codeine Risk in Breast Milk

FDA: Watch out for signs of overdose in babies

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Instead of getting his two 4- oz. bottles, he gets turned in

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mothers • baby • infant • breast feeding • breast milk • codeine • nursing • morphine

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Moms Share Breast Milk on Facebook

Eats on Feets connects those who have with those who need

IVF Test Triples Birth Success

And could spare us future Octomoms

Falling Tree Branch Kills Baby in Central Park

Freak accident injures mother of 6-month-old

Government Bans Killer Cribs

Drop-side design linked to 32 infant deaths since 2000

Man Tries to Trade Baby for Beer

Instead of getting his two 4- oz. bottles, he gets turned in

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Newser By Users

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