Dihydrocodeine is an opioid analgesic, used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is also used as a cough suppressant. Despite being a controlled substance, it has a limited amount of potential for abuse and addiction. It is also available over the counter in small quantities when combined with paracetamol. Hence, it is a legal drug in the United Kingdom.

Dihydrocodeine is an opioid analgesic

While dihydrocodeine is a useful pain reliever, it has several drawbacks. In addition to being an opioid agonist, it also has high potential for abuse, including the risk of addiction. It can cause respiratory failure in users who do not follow prescribed guidelines. Addiction can also occur among prescribed users, but the risk of abuse is unknown in such individuals. Patients with mental health problems or a family history of substance abuse are at an increased risk of becoming addicted to opioids. Thus, patients should be evaluated for potential risks before starting treatment with dihydrocodeine. In some cases, more intensive counseling is required to address potential addiction issues.

Dihydrocodeine is contraindicated in patients with severe respiratory problems or hypotension. Patients with underlying cardiac disease should be monitored closely while taking dihydrocodeine. Moreover, patients with hypotension, pulmonary disease, or pancreatitis should avoid co-administration of dihydrocodeine. Because it may lead to respiratory depression, it is also contraindicated in patients with significant pulmonary disease, including severe respiratory failure.

It is used to relieve moderate to severe pain

In the United States, dihydrocodeine is sold as a prescription drug. It is often combined with other medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), to provide pain relief and fever reduction. These medications also contain caffeine, which constricts blood vessels in the brain and relieves pain. These precautions should be followed whenever taking dihydrocodeine.

Although dihydrocodeine is a prescription drug, it may become habit forming if taken for prolonged periods of time. People who suffer from lactose intolerance or deficiency should not take dihydrocodeine. The risk of physical dependence is low when taken for short periods of time, but there are also potential withdrawal effects if the medication is abruptly stopped. Fortunately, the effects of withdrawal can be minimized by gradually reducing the dose over time.

It reduces the risk of addiction

Dihydrocodeine (DHC) is an opioid replacement therapy that may have effects similar to methadone and buprenorphine, but the quality of evidence is limited, making it premature to draw any firm conclusions. The evidence base is also outdated, so service providers should know this before considering DHC as an alternative treatment option. However, this information can be helpful for determining which treatment options are most appropriate for a patient.

It is a cough suppressant

Dihydrocodeine is an opioid analgesic, a drug that is similar to codeine, which is an opioid. It is used as an adjunct to codeine for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. This drug has mild euphoric properties, which increase with supratherapeutic doses. It is also associated with side effects, including urinary retention and constipation. If used excessively, dihydrocodeine can lead to substance dependence.

Dihydrocodeine is an opioid, a medicine that is approved by the FDA for treating mild pain and cough symptoms. Codeine is metabolised into morphine by the enzyme CYP2D6. People with very fast metabolism may experience severe toxicity. For these reasons, the UK Commission on Human Medicines issued a warning against the use of codeine cough suppressants. Nevertheless, this warning does not prevent you from taking the drug if you are unable to tolerate the effects of codeine.

It contains lactose

Although many painkillers contain lactose, dihydrocodeine is not recommended for people with severe or rare lactose intolerance or gallbladder problems. In some cases, lactose is necessary for a patient to tolerate codeine. A person with lactose intolerance should discuss their needs with their doctor before using codeine. Symptoms of lactose intolerance in infants may be self-limiting and not life-threatening.

Generally, patients with lactose intolerance or sensitivity will not experience any symptoms when taking a lactose-containing analgesic. However, the patient may experience adverse effects if the dosage is higher than usual or when they take more than one prescription medication at a time. In these cases, a patient’s lactose tolerance and total exposure to lactose should be considered.