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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are There Painkillers Which Are Codeine Free?

I am allergic to codeine, Vicodin, oxy and any other meds with real or synthetic codeine. I get a horrible burning rash like feeling when I take those meds. As I have RA, Fibro Myalgia, and all of my Lumbar Disks are herniated, and the L5 disk is ruptured. I have a Spinal Cord Stimulator that works most times, but there are times when my pain is so bad that I need to take pain meds. Now that I cannot tolerate codeine drugs, I would like to know if there is anything else I can take?
Mon, 30 May 2016
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Brief Answer:
You can use drugs from the third class of opioids such as tramadol 100 mg orally every 6 hour as needed, with a maximum dosage of 400 mg per day.


Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM. I understand your concern and i will try to help you. All the medications you mentioned above belong to opioid class of drugs. Eventhough you are allergic to codeine, Vicodin, oxy, you still need to take an opioid, because i suppose you have tried weaker pain relievers without any satisfactory result. So what to do ?
There are three groups of opioids:
Group 1 (aka opiates) - Naturally occurring agents derived from the opium plant, such as morphine, codeine, thebaine.
Group 2 - Semi-synthetics, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, buprenorphine (heroin is also in this group).
Group 3 - Synthetics, such as fentanyl (alfentanil, sufentanil, etc.), methadone, tramadol, propoxyphene, meperidine.
You just need to choose an opioid that is structurally different from the group, part of which is codein (Group 1) or oxycodone (Group 2).
Your solution is to use one of the third group of opioids, because they have structures different enough and can be given to a patient intolerant to the natural or semi-synthetics without fear of allergic reactions. For example : tramadol (Cemadol CR) 100 mg orally every 6 hour as needed, with a maximum dosage of 400 mg per day.


Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please close and rate the answer.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Juarda
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Are There Painkillers Which Are Codeine Free?

Brief Answer: You can use drugs from the third class of opioids such as tramadol 100 mg orally every 6 hour as needed, with a maximum dosage of 400 mg per day. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for using HCM. I understand your concern and i will try to help you. All the medications you mentioned above belong to opioid class of drugs. Eventhough you are allergic to codeine, Vicodin, oxy, you still need to take an opioid, because i suppose you have tried weaker pain relievers without any satisfactory result. So what to do ? There are three groups of opioids: Group 1 (aka opiates) - Naturally occurring agents derived from the opium plant, such as morphine, codeine, thebaine. Group 2 - Semi-synthetics, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone, buprenorphine (heroin is also in this group). Group 3 - Synthetics, such as fentanyl (alfentanil, sufentanil, etc.), methadone, tramadol, propoxyphene, meperidine. You just need to choose an opioid that is structurally different from the group, part of which is codein (Group 1) or oxycodone (Group 2). Your solution is to use one of the third group of opioids, because they have structures different enough and can be given to a patient intolerant to the natural or semi-synthetics without fear of allergic reactions. For example : tramadol (Cemadol CR) 100 mg orally every 6 hour as needed, with a maximum dosage of 400 mg per day. Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please close and rate the answer. Kind Regards, Dr. Juarda