Dihydrocodeine

Moderate to moderately severe pain, including post-operative pain, injury-related pain, and some chronic pain conditions.

Dihydrocodeine binds directly to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, blocking pain signalling. It doesn't depend on liver enzyme conversion like codeine, making its effects more predictable from person to person.

Adults with moderate pain that hasn't responded to simpler analgesics. Use with caution in the elderly, those with respiratory conditions, or anyone with a history of addiction.

Order online and we review your request. A prescriber checks your consultation form for clinical appropriateness and contacts you if anything else is needed. Once approved, your medication is dispensed and delivered to your door. Controlled drugs require additional clinical checks. We may need to contact you or your GP before dispensing.

Tracked: Tracked delivery, arrives tomorrow - Free

When it arrives: Every order is sent tracked. Where this page says in post today, it goes out today. Where it says in post tomorrow, it goes out the next working day. On the rare occasions a medicine is unavailable, we will contact you to talk about timing and alternatives.

We dispense clinically equivalent generic medications where available. Prices shown are for the generic version. If you prefer the branded version, let us know in your order form and we will confirm any price difference.

Dihydrocodeine from £27.99 per pack.

Common: constipation (very common - consider laxative prophylaxis), nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness. Uncommon: dry mouth, sweating, itching, confusion. Serious: respiratory depression (especially in overdose or with other CNS depressants), dependence and withdrawal symptoms with prolonged use.

Do not use in acute respiratory depression, severe COPD exacerbation, paralytic ileus, acute abdomen. Codeine: do not use in children under 12, or under 18 after tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. Not suitable for ultra-rapid CYP2D6 metabolisers (codeine).

Benzodiazepines and other CNS depressants: risk of profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Alcohol: enhanced sedation - do not drink alcohol. MAOIs: risk of serotonin syndrome (tramadol specifically). SSRIs with tramadol: serotonin syndrome risk.

Avoid in pregnancy if possible, especially near delivery (risk of neonatal respiratory depression and withdrawal). Codeine is contraindicated in breastfeeding (risk of morphine toxicity in infant). Other opioids: present in breast milk - use only under medical supervision.

Take every 4--6 hours. Side effects include constipation, drowsiness, nausea and dizziness. Don't drive until you're sure how it affects you. Risk of dependence -- short courses only unless under specialist care.