The researchers found that the risk for cardiovascular events was similar across opioid groups 30 days after initiation, but after 180 days of exposure it was elevated for codeine (rate ratio [RR], 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27 – 2.06), compared with the reference hydrocodone.
Similarly, propoxyphene showed a nonsignificant increase in cardiovascular toxicity at 30 days (RR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.85 – 1.62), which persisted at 180 days (RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.00 – 1.57).
