Health Tips

Painkillers and G6PD deficiency

It’s undeniable that most people of all ages would have taken a painkiller or two, or more throughout our lives. It is definite for almost every household to have some painkillers stored for emergencies. Some more common examples of painkillers include Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin and the list goes on. Oftentimes, we take painkillers when we are in pain, for example when we are having a toothache, and sometimes we take it for fevers and more.  In other words, painkillers are almost inevitable in life. Handy and effective, they say!

But do you know that there are some people in our society who cannot actually take certain types of painkillers? This can be difficult but thanks to science, we actually have a lot more choices of painkillers for this community even though the painkillers don’t work all the same.

Who are they? Those who are G6PD deficient.

What is G6PD deficiency?

Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency may come off as an unknown for people who do not experience it but for those who have it, they may actually have been informed of it since birth! In Malaysia, the overall prevalence of G6PD deficiency was 3.4 %; among which 5.3 % are males and 1.1% are females. This implies that G6PD deficiency more commonly affects males. G6PD deficiency is a genetic condition when our body lacks the enzyme G6PD which then affects our red blood cells. With G6PD deficiency, red blood cells will be easily triggered by certain medications leading to their destruction. 

How to get diagnosed for G6PD deficiency?

If you are unsure if you are G6PD deficient, you can even get tested for it in a clinic. You doctor would perform a special blood test for you and you will be notified of your results.

And yes, some who are G6PD-deficient would actually have to avoid painkillers such as aspirin. And it’s not all that simple, it is not just painkillers they would have to avoid. Below attached is the advised medications to be avoided compiled by MIMS (2021).

In cases when G6PD deficient people are triggered, the red blood cells in their bodies will be destroyed and this can be fatal if not properly treated. But worry not! If G6PD deficiency is understood and managed properly, those who have G6PD deficiency can also lead a healthy and happy life!

References

1. http://www.cych.org.tw/pharm/MIMS%20Summary%20Table-G6PD.pdf 

2. https://medic.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/2020042010172318_MJMHS_0246.pdf 

Image credits

1. https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthline.com%2Fhealth%2Fchronic-pain-opioids&psig=AOvVaw0byTNx4ic4WMiTCBQqIdiX&ust=1618589046558000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCPDT1JzQgPACFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD 

2. https://www.google.com/search?q=g6pd+blood+teest&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjY3sOa0IDwAhUqGSsKHZBvDawQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=g6pd+blood+teest&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoECCMQJzoFCAAQsQM6CAgAELEDEIMBOgIIADoECAAQHjoGCAAQCBAeOgQIABAYUO3YAljw8AJgp_ICaABwAHgAgAGcAYgB0QiSAQQxNC4ymAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=9mN4YNiLIqqyrAGQ37XgCg&bih=1016&biw=2046#imgrc=0VRkENAxE6B31M 

3. https://www.davidwolfe.com/g6pd-deficiency/ 

Written by

Ms. See Wen Xin