Discuss why this patient has morphine intoxication, how you treat the intoxication, and how you test for CYP2D6 activity. Would you try any other members of the family? Why or why not? Would you push for different drug sensitivities? If so, what would you consider testing for? Morphine Intoxication in a 62-Year-Old Man with Bilateral Pneumonia: Causes, Treatments, and Drug Sensitivity Testing

Morphine Intoxication in a 62-Year-Old Man with Bilateral Pneumonia: Causes, Treatments, and Drug Sensitivity Testing

A 62-year-old man with bilateral pneumonia who did not respond to over-the-counter medication was prescribed a standard dosage of oral codeine to relieve his cough. Unfortunately, a few days into the treatment, the patient became unresponsive and developed a life-threatening morphine intoxication. This unfortunate reaction can be attributed to the patient’s unique genetic predisposition and lack of awareness of the potential for such an adverse reaction. Morphine intoxication occurs when an individual is more sensitive to the drug due to the presence of an enzyme deficiency in their body, such as CYP2D6. This enzyme is responsible for the metabolism of codeine and other opioids and is known to be highly variable between individuals, making some individuals more sensitive to these drugs than others (Lin, 2020; Singh et al., 2021). As such, when this patient was prescribed a standard dosage of codeine, he was likely more sensitive to the drug due to his CYP2D6 deficiency, leading to the life-threatening morphine intoxication. To treat the morphine intoxication, it is important to first confirm the presence of CYP2D6 deficiency through a genetic test. This will allow for a tailored treatment plan that can reduce the risk of further adverse reactions. Additionally, it is important to monitor the patient’s vital signs and provide supportive care, such as oxygen, fluids, and ventilation, as needed (Lin, 2020). Cont…