If you feel sleepy while taking dihydrocodeine, do not drink alcohol while you're taking it. Dihydrocodeine does not affect any type of contraception, including the contraceptive pill or emergency contraception. There's no firm evidence that dihydrocodeine reduces fertility in men or women. Do not drive a car, ride a bike or operate machinery if dihydrocodeine causes you to have blurred vision, makes you feel dizzy, sleepy, clumsy or unable to concentrate.
These side effects may be more likely when you first start taking dihydrocodeine but could happen at any time. For example, when starting another medicine or if a doctor increases your dose. It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive.
If you're in any doubt, do not drive. UK has more information about the law on drugs and driving. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking dihydrocodeine. If you take recreational drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin, while you're taking dihydrocodeine, you're more likely to get the serious side effects of dihydrocodeine including breathing difficulties, muscle stiffness, low blood pressure and seizures or fits.
Some recreational drugs, such as cannabis, will also increase dihydrocodeine side effects and make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Taking heroin while you're taking prescribed dihydrocodeine is especially dangerous. You're more likely to get all the side effects of dihydrocodeine, including addiction. Tell a doctor if you take recreational drugs while you're taking dihydrocodeine.
Page last reviewed: 5 May Next review due: 5 May Dihydrocodeine On this page About dihydrocodeine Key facts Who can and cannot take it How and when to take it Taking dihydrocodeine with other painkillers Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.
About dihydrocodeine Dihydrocodeine is an opiate painkiller. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Dihydrocodeine works by stopping pain signals travelling along the nerves to the brain. Standard dihydrocodeine tablets take 1. It's possible to become addicted to dihydrocodeine, but your doctor will explain how to reduce the risks of becoming addicted.
If you need to take dihydrocodeine for more than a few weeks, your treatment plan may include details of how and when to stop taking this medicine. The most common side effects are feeling or being sick, feeling drowsy or constipation. Adults and children aged 4 years and over can take dihydrocodeine.
Tell a doctor before taking the medicine if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to dihydrocodeine or any other medicine have any stomach problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome IBS or Crohn's disease , or if you're taking medicines for these conditions have lung problems, asthma or breathing difficulties have a head injury or a condition that causes seizures or fits have an underactive thyroid gland hypothyroidism have an addiction to alcohol take any other painkillers including those you buy from a pharmacy or supermarket have liver or kidney problems have myasthenia gravis , a rare illness that causes muscle weakness are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant or are breastfeeding are under 18 years and have had your tonsils or adenoids taken out to treat obstructive sleep apnoea have a rare condition causing problems with galactose intolerance.
How much will I take? How often you take your tablets will depend on the strength. Immediate release tablets The usual dose for adults and children aged 12 years and over is: 30mg tablet — 1 tablet every 4 to 6 hours - maximum dose in 24 hours is 6 tablets mg 40mg tablet — 1 or 2 tablets up to 3 times in 24 hours - maximum dose in 24 hours is 6 tablets mg Slow release tablets The usual dose for adults and children aged 12 years and over is: 60mg, 90mg or mg tablets — 1 tablet taken every 12 hours The tablets contain 60mg, 90mg or mg of dihydrocodeine.
Liquid The usual dose of dihydrocodeine liquid is one to three 5ml spoonfuls taken every 4 to 6 hours. Will my dose go up or down? Important If you have been taking dihydrocodeine for more than a few weeks do not stop taking it without speaking to your doctor first.
What if I forget to take it? Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one. What if I take too much? Urgent advice: Call now if:.
If you take too much dihydrocodeine you may feel: very sleepy, sick or dizzy find it difficult to breathe become unconscious Go to Where to store dihydrocodeine If you're prescribed dihydrocodeine, it's really important that you: store it properly and safely at home keep it out of the sight and reach of children do not give your medicine to anyone else return any unused dihydrocodeine to a pharmacy so they can throw it away in the right way.
Common side effects Common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or do not go away: constipation feeling or being sick nausea or vomiting feeling sleepy confusion, feeling dizzy and vertigo a sensation of spinning dry mouth headaches Serious side effects Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in people.
Call a doctor straight away if you get any of the following: muscle stiffness feel dizzy, tired and have low energy — this could be a sign of low blood pressure hypotension. Immediate action required: Call if:. Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to dihydrocodeine.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: feeling or being sick — take dihydrocodeine with or just after a meal or snack to ease feelings of sickness.
If you're being sick, try small frequent sips of water. This side effect should wear off after a few days. Talk to a doctor about taking an anti-sickness medicine if it carries on for longer. Talk to a doctor if it carries on for longer.
If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit until you feel better. This side effect should wear off within a few days as your body gets used to dihydrocodeine.
A doctor can also prescribe an artificial saliva substitute to keep your mouth moist. This comes as a spray, gel or lozenge. Talk to a doctor if headaches last longer than a week or are severe. Dihydrocodeine and breastfeeding Dihydrocodeine is not usually recommended if you're breastfeeding. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Some medicines interfere with the way dihydrocodeine works. Tell a doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start taking dihydrocodeine: sleeping pills or tranquillisers medicines for depression or other mental health problems medicines to stop you feeling sick or vomiting, such as domperidone or metoclopramide antihistamines or hay fever tablets medicines to treat anxiety Mixing dihydrocodeine with herbal remedies and supplements It's not possible to say that dihydrocodeine is safe to take with herbal remedies and supplements.
It can increase your risk of urinary retention, infections, and liver damage. Due to the potential for overdose and abuse, all hydrocodone products were moved to a new category by the Food and Drug Administration in Instead of simply calling your hydrocodone prescription in to the pharmacist, your doctor must now give you a written prescription that you need to take to the pharmacy.
Long-term use of codeine and hydrocodone can lead to dependence. Tell your doctor right away if you have withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking either of these drugs. Extended-release hydrocodone can be fatal for children. Taking even one tablet can be fatal. Keep your prescription medications locked and away from children. Tell your doctor about all other medications you take, including vitamins and supplements, before you begin taking either medication.
These drugs may include:. You can find a more detailed list of interactions for both drugs at the interactions for codeine and hydrocodone. These are both prescription medications, so your doctor will decide which one would be best for you based on your symptoms and the cause of your pain. Codeine is typically used for mild to moderately severe pain. Depending on your needs, your doctor may prescribe either of these medications alone or in combination with something else.
The list of opioids is long. Learn their forms, factors used in choosing them, and tips for taking them safely. Vicodin and Percocet are two powerful painkillers prescribed for short-term pain relief.
See how the two compare and learn about their differences. Tramadol, oxycodone, and controlled-release oxycodone are drugs used to treat moderate to severe pain. Learn how these drugs are similar and different. Learn what breakthrough pain is and how you can manage it with proper medication, dosing, and other treatments.
Hydromorphone and morphine are both strong pain medications. Learn the specifics here. Codeine is an opiate used to treat pain or cough. Learn what to expect from withdrawal if you become dependent on or addicted to codeine. You can experience withdrawal symptoms after minimal use of opioids or opiates, and prolonged use can cause severe symptoms.
Dihydrocodeine was developed in the hopes of finding a more effective and better alternative to codeine. Dihydrocodeine is also used for the treatment of cough, used as a pain medication, and also is used for the treatment of dyspnea difficult breathing. Also, unlike Codeine that is generally only found in couch syrup form, dihydrocodeine can be found in more forms such as tablets, solutions, elixirs, and other oral forms. In some countries, dihydrocodeine can also be found as an injectable that is used for intramuscular and deep subcutaneous administration.
This is unlike codeine which cannot be injected due to the risk of anaphylaxis or pulmonary edema, along with a potential large histamine release. While most of the differences between codeine and dihydrocodeine are primarily within the structure of the two substances, it is important to talk about the biggest similarity between the two. That is their risk of abuse and addiction.
While these two substances may not be the most potent when taken as prescribed, if they are taken in excess and more often than needed, you risk the possibility of addiction. After all, both substances are still opioids, which have a very high likelihood of misuse and physical dependence, like most pain relievers.
Not only is abuse and addiction to these two substances possible, but it also can act as a gateway to stronger opioid use like stronger prescription medications or illegal street drugs such as heroin. We at Recreate Life Counseling understand the seriousness of drug dependence and abuse, no matter what the substance is, and we believe your addiction must be treated as soon as possible.
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