Opioids can lower resistance to infections. Had on lady get couple of pneumonias which made me reconsider which types of opioids to use in these cases.
Al-Hashimi, M., et al.
Opioids and immune modulation: more questions than answers. British journal of anaesthesia 111.1 (2013): 80-88.
http://bja.oxfordjournals.org/content/111/1/80.full
The opioid with no immune modulating effects is buprenorphine. It is sold as Suboxone – used like methadone for addicts- but has prescribing restrictions in some areas. Alberta
http://www.cpsa.ab.ca/Services/Physician_Prescribing_Practices/BuprenorphinePrescribing.aspx
requires you to take a 5 hour course at:
http://www.suboxonecme.ca/en/login/?t=%2fen%2fhome%2f
Severity of immune suppressing effects comes from first article:
Unfortunately, I tend to user morphine (cheaper). Looks like hydrocodone would be better alternative…