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Opiates and white blood cell count.

Hi. I searched wikipedia for any link between opiates and leukopenia (the disease of having a reduced white blood cell count), and didn't find any.

I doesn't mean of course that this link can't exist.

Maybe if a mod could redirect this post to ADD, I'm sure here they'll answer your question with more knowledge ;)
 
Yes. Opiates reduce Your ability to fight off infection. It can effect your platelets and white blood cells. Tylenol has this effect too.
 
Zoeylynn said:
Yes. Opiates reduce Your ability to fight off infection. It can effect your platelets and white blood cells. Tylenol has this effect too.
Click to expand...

Thanks, do you have a source for this? Just looking for some peer reviewed literature as I couldn't find much online myself though I have heard numerous times "Opiates will depress your immune system".

Even if you don't, do you know via what action they do so?
 
There appears to be some research on the subject.

This was from a quick PubMed search.

I'm going to defer to ADD for this one, we'll see if we can get some more specific sources.

Basic Drug Discussion --> Advanced Drug Discussion
 
this isnt something that can easily be researched and quantified. too many factors are involved.

also, some opiates are known to increase ACTH while others reduce ACTH. these would have inverse effects on the immune system.
 
I can't copy and past from my medical app so here is a scream shot from one opiate medication.

195bd07d.jpg
 
I remember reading a few years back that scientists were doing a study about heroin and the common cold.
I know as a heroin addict that while using heroin I have never contracted a cold and it seems the same for a lot of my friends that use also.
Why heroin should stop you catching a cold I don't know but I guess that's why the study was being carried out.
 
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