A father asks whether an opioid cough suppressant (eg, promethazine with codeine) could help his school-aged child with a nagging cough during recovery from a cold. The PNP explains possible problems with opioid cough suppressants include:

A father asks whether an opioid cough suppressant (eg, promethazine with codeine) could help his school-aged child with a nagging cough during recovery from a cold. The PNP explains possible problems with opioid cough suppressants include:

• A. Potential for abuse and diarrhea
• B. Respiratory depression and diarrhea
• C. Dependency and constipation
• D. Respiratory stimulation and constipation

Answer: (C)

Opioid cough suppressants work by dampening the brain’s cough center, which reduces coughing but brings safety concerns in children. The most important issues to watch for are physical dependence and constipation. Repeated use can lead to dependence, and opioids commonly slow gut motility, causing constipation. While respiratory depression is a real risk with opioids, it’s more dose-dependent and less likely with typical, short-term cough dosages; diarrhea is not a typical opioid-related effect in this context. So, dependency and constipation are the primary safety considerations for a school-aged child using an opioid cough suppressant.

Opioid cough suppressants work by dampening the brain’s cough center, which reduces coughing but brings safety concerns in children. The most important issues to watch for are physical dependence and constipation. Repeated use can lead to dependence, and opioids commonly slow gut motility, causing constipation. While respiratory depression is a real risk with opioids, it’s more dose-dependent and less likely with typical, short-term cough dosages; diarrhea is not a typical opioid-related effect in this context. So, dependency and constipation are the primary safety considerations for a school-aged child using an opioid cough suppressant.