Codeine and Pregnant?

lebeda777

Is it safe to take Codeine and Vicodin while pregnant?  TIA!

championmama

I'm probably going to be called out big-time here, but you're joking right?  I literally just logged on and this is what I first see.  I don't know if there is something on down below that is the cause for this post????

I'm not a pharmacist, but I would say NO (if you're seriously asking).  Maybe Bubbly is on.  She's an Rx.

lebeda777

I was not thinking they would be but my SIL Is pregnant in the third trimester and just got a Codeine prescription from her Dentist and she is taking it and said it is fine.  She said her Dr. gave her Vicodin with her other DD.  I am concerned and am usually on the OVERLY cautious side so I am just seeing if I am being crazy. 

Zenya

I took it with both of my kids for migraines.  It's considered safe.

lebeda777

Wow!  Really!  That is good.  Anyone know where the drug category list is?

championmama

I stand corrected.  I've never taken vicoden, and I am allergic to codeine.  It literally makes me crazy.  It does my grandmother that way too.  I really wasn't trying to make fun of you - it's just really something I never would have thought a pregnant woman could take.  And, like I said, I'm not a Rx.

I did scroll on down to see if I missed something from earlier and didn't see anything, so then I determined that your ? was legit!

championmama

oh, and if the dentist did prescribe it, I'd say it's probably fine.  I don't know the category, but go to www.safefetus.com

I've done that.  My regular dr's. PA is bad about prescribing me cat. C drugs and I always check first. He's an idiot!

lebeda777

No problem!  I felt the same way when I was told she was taking these! ! !  Still in shock these are ok, I was a little uptight like I said and never even would take a Tylenol.  But I guess I didn't have a ton of pain to deal with so I just dealt.

lebeda777

Thanks.  Looks like Codeine is a category C drug. 

https://www.safefetus.com/DrugDetail.asp?DrugId=300&TradeName=Codeine&TradeId=2582

DaisyAdair

I also take Codeine (for both migraines and a debilitating hip problem that I get while pregnant) and it's totally safe.  However, they like you to stop as you get close to delivery.  If you take one and delivery while it's still having it's effects, the baby could be born with breathing problems. So, I usually stop around 37wks and suffer with the migraines and debilitating hip problem until I deliver - when they promptly load me back up with it!

Vicodin is also safe....but, again, they want you to stop as you get close to delivering for the same reasons.

lebeda777

And Vicodin is a Cat C too.

https://www.safefetus.com/DrugDetail.asp?DrugId=1133&TradeName=Vicodin&TradeId=2719

 

Knowing this would you take these? 

DaisyAdair

I'm actually on quite a few Cat C drugs.  Sometimes, you do what you have to do. 

Would I take it for a dental procedure??  Probably not.

Do I have a problem taking them for hyperemsis, debilitating migraines, and a hip condition - all of which could realistically land me in the hospital (the HG and migraines HAVE landed me in the hospital) and prevent me from caring for my kids - no.  I really don't have a problem with it.  I know to stop the Codeine and the Vicodin weeks before I deliver. 

I actually had a specialized scan since one of the medications I'm on has a higher risk of causing a certain heart defect.  No problems there.  

If you look up Tylenol, it's a Cat B, but it's also been connected to certain birth defects - and some of those sound pretty bad, too.

So, you have to weight the risks and benefits.  Short term dental relief?  Maybe not, but who am I to judge?  Being hospitalized for malnutrition?  I have no choice but to take the medications that stop the vomiting - Cat C or not.

 

lebeda777

Like I said, I too have never been in a situation of such pain to even think to take these drugs.  So I haven't had to make that decision.  I don't even take tylenol while pregnant, so I know I am a bit extreme that way too.  I am not judging you or anyone for taking these types of drugs, but I do have a genuine love and concern for my future nephew!  My SIL is a smart lady and I am sure she is doing what she has to. BTW, the codeine is for tooth pain.

MrsCorbin

I was given Percocet, Morphine and Codeine with both of my children and they are fine.  The hospital and my doctor prescribed them.  Category C doesn't mean it is unsafe, it means there isn't enough research.  I'm sure the doctors have used it enough to know it should be fine.

femmegem

Ditto the PP on the whole debilitating migraine thing. I've been to the ER twice in the last 6 months with horrific migraines. You'd better believe I was taking Vicodin for them during my pregnancy. DS is perfectly healthy.

Temp159135562506975

I wish i didn't have to know that these drugs were safe during pg, lol.

I was on (at various times in my last pg, not at the same time).

-codine, vicodin, percocet, morphine, dilauded and maybe some more i'm forgetting.

Between week long migraines and kidney stones- the docs were trying everything to ease my pain.  My DS was born a month early- perfectly healthy.

I would not take any of those at the same time- and i would also not take an Rx that has been sitting around- always make sure your OB is OK with it- b/c other health factors you have might make it not safe to take.

as someone else said- Cat C does not mean "bad".  Cat B is the best there is (there is no Cat A b/c that would require testing on pg women which = unethical).  Cat C generally means that there has been some effect in pregnant ANIMALS - at VERY high doses of that medication- like 1000 x's what a human would take. Hence the disclaimer they always have "benefits must outweigh the risks".