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Dihydrocodeine
Related Subjects: |💊 Analgesia |🛌 Sedation and Analgesia on ITU |🌿 Codeine |🌿 Dihydrocodeine
📖 About
- Always check the BNF link here for up-to-date advice.
- A semi-synthetic opioid analgesic used for moderate to severe pain, severe dyspnoea, or as an antitussive.
- Can be prescribed alone or in combination with paracetamol (e.g., co-dydramol).
⚙️ Mode of Action
- Binds to opioid receptors in the CNS → inhibits pain transmission pathways.
- Reduces perception of pain, alters pain response, and produces mild euphoria/sedation.
💉 Indication / Dose
- Pain: 30 mg every 4–6 hours PRN.
- Maximum: 240 mg in 24 hours.
🔗 Interactions
- Avoid with alcohol 🍷 and sedatives (e.g. benzodiazepines) → ↑ risk of respiratory depression & sedation.
⚠️ Cautions
- Monitor closely for respiratory depression → may require ventilation or reversal with naloxone.
- Use with caution in elderly, frail, or patients with reduced respiratory reserve.
🚫 Contraindications
- Acute respiratory depression
- Comatose patients
- Head injury / raised intracranial pressure
- Paralytic ileus
💊 Side Effects
- 😴 Drowsiness, confusion, delirium
- ❤️ Arrhythmias, hypotension (high doses), flushing
- 🧠 Hallucinations, headache, euphoria
- 👁️ Visual impairment, vertigo, miosis
- 🤢 Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation
- 💨 Respiratory depression (dose-related, serious)
- 🧴 Skin reactions, sweating (hyperhidrosis)
- 🚽 Urinary retention
- ⚡ Withdrawal syndrome if abruptly stopped
📚 References
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
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