Tramadol, codeine… are endocrine disruptors: many side effects

Indications for opioids

Opioids, the review states, are often used:

• in the treatment of severe pain: tramadol (Topalgic or other), codeine (in Codoliprane or other), morphine, fentanyl (Durogesic or other), oxycodone (Oxycontin or other);
• in opioid substitution treatment (methadone, buprenorphine [Subutex ou autre]);
• as a cough suppressant (codeine [Padéryl]dextromethorphan [Nodex ou autre]pholcodine [Dimétane sans sucre ou autre])
• even in diarrhea (loperamide – Imodium or other).

Adverse effects

They “exposed to adverse effects similar to those induced by opium“. These effects are numerous:

• “respiratory depression;
• neuropsychic effects;
• digestive effects;
• Dependencies ;
• but also genital dysfunctions (hypogonadisms)
• or overproduction of prolactin, a hormone involved in lactation. »

Endocrine effects

New data further confirms,endocrine effects of opioids, most often hormonal failure type“, reports the review.

To type of example:

• the long-term consumption of opioids exposes women and men to a decrease in the production of sex hormones. May occur:

  • menstrual cycle abnormalities;
  • hot flushes;
  • low libido;
  • infertility;
  • erectile dysfunction.

• low bone density and osteoporosis;

• abnormal breast development in men;

• milk secretions outside breastfeeding in women.

• adrenal function disorders involving cortisol, aldosterone and adrenaline can cause:

  • abnormalities in body temperature regulation;
  • metabolic disorders;
  • regulation of blood sugar levels even in the absence of diabetes;
  • and abnormal thyroid function

• hormonal effects on

  • the growth
  • nutritional balance
  • water regulation in the body

“These endocrine effects differ depending on the substance, the route of administration and individual factors (age, kidney function). They seem more marked when opioids have a long-acting and are taken for a long time and in high doses.»

For more information on opioid pain medications, see the links below.

Psychomedia with source: Prescribe.
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