Pain killers may increase risk of pneumonia

The study conducted by researchers at Group Health Research Institute and the University of Washington (UW), also found that contrary to opioids, a class of medicines commonly given for pain, benzodiazepines – a class of drugs generally given for insomnia and anxiety, did not affect pneumonia risk.“In animal studies, some opioids including morphine, codeine, and fentanyl harm the immune system, which also might contribute to pneumonia,” Sascha Dublin, the study leader, said.Dr Dublin and her research team hypothesized that the risk of pneumonia would be higher in people using opioids or benzodiazepines than in people not using these medications, and would be highest for opioids that suppress the immune system.