What are the side effects of Dihydrocodeine?

Like all medications, dihydrocodeine can have some side effects.

Dihydrocodeine Side Effects

The most common side effects include:

• Constipation
• Nausea or vomiting (feeling sick or being sick)
• Headaches
• Feeling sleepy
• Confusion
• Feeling dizzy
• Dry mouth.

If these side effects don’t settle or are troublesome, speak to a healthcare professional for advice.

Rarely, serious side effects can occur when taking dihydrocodeine. These include:

• Feeling dizzy or tired due to low blood pressure
• Stiff muscles.

You should speak to a doctor or pharmacist if these side effects occur.

You should call 999 if you have a seizure or fit, or if you have difficulty breathing when taking dihydrocodeine.

If you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) including breathlessness, lip or tongue swelling, call 999 immediately.

What warnings are there for Dihydrocodeine?

Dihydrocodeine may not be suitable for everyone. You should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

• Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Lung disease including asthma
• Liver or kidney disease
• A head injury
• Seizures or fits
• Thyroid disease
• Myasthenia gravis
• Galactose intolerance
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Alcohol or drug addiction

buy dihydrocodeine online may not be suitable during pregnancy, if you are trying to conceive, or breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor prior to starting treatment to ensure it’s safety.

Some prescription medications can interact with dihydrocodeine. You may be advised that dihydrocodeine will not suit you if you already take:

• A painkiller that contains codeine
• Sleeping tablets
• Anti-sickness medications
• Allergy medications
• Anxiety medications.

You should also tell your prescriber about any herbal remedies or supplements you take. This will allow your prescriber to check that dihydrocodeine will not interact with them.

It is important that your doctor checks that dihydrocodeine will suit you. Your doctor should complete a thorough health questionnaire and review your current medications before prescribing this medication.

Can you take Dihydrocodeine at the same time as benzodiazepine medications?

No, it is not safe to take Dihydrocodeine at the same time as benzodiazepine medications. The side effects can be severe, for example, combined use of both types of medication could result in respiratory depression, sedation, coma and/or death (Electronic Medicines Compendium, 2020). This emphasises the importance of speaking to a doctor or healthcare professional for medical advice prior to starting treatment with dihydrocodeine, any other opioid medication and/or benzodiazepine medications to ensure that they are safe and suitable for your requirements. This is further supported by Zamparutti et al (2011) who concluded that opiate/opioid misusers should be educated about risks of polydrug misuse.

Can Dihydrocodeine affect sexual health?

Whilst it is not a widely reported direct side effect of dihydrocodeine usage on it’s own, a 2002 study by Goldmeier & Lamba reported two cases where dihydrocodeine and sildenafil interacted with each other, resulting in prolonged erections for the patients.

Is Dihydrocodeine suitable for dental pain?

No, according to BMJ (2013), The BNF does not recommend the use of dihydrocodeine (and opioid analgesics) as they are relatively ineffective at treating dental pain and can have adverse effects. You should always consult your doctor for advice on pain relief treatments to ensure that the medication is the most appropriate treatment for your requirements. buy dihydrocodeine online

Are withdrawal symptoms possible if you stop taking dihydrocodeine?

Yes. Patients who suddenly stop taking dihydrocodeine could be at an increased risk of suffering from withdrawal symptoms, particularly if the are addicted (NHS, 2022). These withdrawal symptoms can include:

• Gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea and vomiting
• Panic attacks
• Involuntary shaking
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Heart palpitations
• Trouble sleeping

The BNF (2020) advise that to reduce the risks of dependence, addiction and withdrawal symptoms, dihydrocodeine dose reduction should be tapered slowly at the end of treatment to avoid opioid misuse – tapering a high dose of dihydrocodeine safely can take a longer period of time, ranging from weeks to months. Your doctor or healthcare professional will be able to advise you on how to safely taper dosage of dihydrocodeine to suit your individual situation, depending on if you are taking higher doses or a lower dose.

If you are concerned about withdrawal symptoms or dihydrocodeine addiction to dihydrocodeine, you should consult your doctor or trusted healthcare professional prior to starting treatment with the medication. They will be able to advise you on appropriate usage and if the medication is suitable for you. buy dihydrocodeine​ online

How does the analgesic effect compare to other pain relief medication?

According to a study by Leppert (2010), Dihydrocodiene (DHC) has an analgesic effect that is slightly stronger than codeine (a natural opioid analgesic) when it is taken orally and it can be twice as potent as codeine for the parenteral route (intravenous administration).buy dihydrocodeine online

How long is dihydrocodeine detectable in urine for?

Research by Mayo Clinic Laboratories (2023) indicates that dihydrocodeine is typically detectable for up to three days in a patient’s urine.

What other opioids are used for mild to moderate pain relief?

According to NHS (2021), in relation to palliative care, when a patient’s pain cannot be managed by paracetamol usage, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that an opioid medication could be a potential solution for healthcare professionals to prescribe to patients. These opioids come in various forms, dosages and release characteristics. Examples of alternative opioids to dihydrocodeine, for the management of mild to moderate pain, include:buy dihydrocodeine online

• Dihydrocodeine
• Codeine
• Buprenorphine patches
• Tramadol

Is dihydrocodeine effective in treating breathing problems?

Research has suggested that dihydrocodiene intake reduced breathlessness by 20% in the following 45 minutes, buy dihydrocodeine​ online whilst also increasing exercise tolerance by 18% and a reduction in oxygen consumption and ventilation when work loads were at a submaximal level, although there were no changes to the spirometric volumes (Woodcock et al, 1981). However, this study is dated and also recommends that further evaluation is needed into the long-term benefits and safety of usage. In combination with aspirin and caffeine, dihydrocodeine has risk of causing sleep-related breathing problems such as sleep apnea (Mayo Clinic, 2023). You should always consult your doctor or healthcare professional prior to using dihydrocodeine to ensure that it is appropriate for you. buy dihydrocodeine online

The CQC have set out guidelines for how care homes can work with their relevant community pharmacy to dispose of control drugs including advice on storing them appropriately and keeping appropriate records of the medications (Care Quality Commission, 2022).

Is Dihydrocodeine in Paramol tablets?

Yes. Dihydrocodeine is an active ingredient in Paramol tablets, along with paracetamol.

Does Dihydrocodeine affect contraception?

No. Dihydrocodeine does not affect any type of contraception, including emergency contraception or the combined pill (NHS, 2022).