Dihydrocodiene tartrate

Description

Side effects

(Don't be unduly alarmed. All drugs cause side effects for some patients)

Warnings

(These are standard cautions but may not be applicable to your case)

Comments

Dihydrocodiene Tartrate is a slow release pain pill which I take night and morning. I have found this has made a huge difference to my pain levels. It has been a couple of months now and it has decreased my burning dramatically. I still get flare ups of feeling as though I have been beaten up and burning off and on in my wrist and lower neck area, but the improvement for me has been huge. However, my appetite has been reduced since I started on it. I am quite happy with only 1 meal most days - a couple of slices of hot toast or a couple of weetabix I never used to be this way... always cooked myself proper meals, now hardly ever. I have lost around a stone in weight!. Wendy - Wellington, New Zealand
Wendy has now been using this medication for several years and has just sent us this update-
I have been able to reduce my medication over several months, one being DHC. I have had no trouble coming off this medication at all, no withdrawal symtoms associated with stopping the regualr daily dosage of 120mg night and day.(max daily total 240mg) I firstly reduced to 120mg once a day, then down to 60mg and then stopped taking it unless I get any increace in pain. I found this drug to be of huge benefit to me over the past 5 years and still find it a huge help when I have a flare. Once again it shows that how drugs affect people can and will differ greatly. You must be aware of how it affects YOUR body. Wendy - Wellington, New Zealand

I have been taking Dihydrocodiene (DF118) for about 12 years now. I would recommend that everyone be cautious about this drug. I started on 60mg x 2 - 4 times a day. Because I have been on them for so long, that that amount now doesn't do anything for me. I now take 9 x 30mg tablets in the morning, all at the same time, then maybe another 5 in the evening depending on my pain. I am aware of the dangers of self medicating to this level. I am also aware I could accidentally kill myself. My doctor knows I am doing this, because I went and asked him to record in my notes that this is how many I take at one time. People need to be careful and understand the risks of dependence, which are high. The Paracetomol in the drug is ruining my organs, but I need them for my pain, so I won't withdraw from them (I believe it is just like coming off heroin). Please be careful of this drug - it has ruined my life! Charlie - USA

I have been taking Dihydrocodiene tartrate along with Amitryptilene for over three years for a condition called Peripheral Neuropathy. The symptoms of this disease are pain and burning sensations. I have found this drug to be most effective in controlling this condition although I have recently found that the dose I have been on does not give me the same pain relief. The side effects diminish with time and the results are very impressive. I would agree that this medication should be used under close medical supervision - any concerns you may have should be dealt with before continuing with the medication. Tony -Northampton, UK

I have been taking this medication for 9 years now. Even as a health professional I was unaware of the addictive effects of this. It should be used with extreme caution.
I started taking it for a lumbar fracture after a sporting accident. Yes, it has helped the pain immensely but I am now tolerant to it. I changed GP two years ago (after moving)and my new GP has put me on DHC which I take 90 mg twice a day, thought there are days when I will take 3. I know I am not on as high a dose as some, which does make me feel a little better (is there an online support group?) but I feel like a druggy. If I try and come off I suffer badly. If my surgery are late in honouring my repeat prescription I find myself panicking. If I have a headache, normal paracetamol is no good, I need codeine, and even then the headache persists.
Luckily my new GP is supportive and understanding, which helps a little, but had I known how this was going to effect me 9 years ago, I would not have taken them. Sue - Redcar, Teesside, UK

I have been taking 2x 30mg 4 times a day DHC on and off for two years and have suffered none of the side effects that I was warned about. However, after a week of taking them I suffer tremendous pain in my hip and knee. I was wondering if this is another side effect that others have suffered or is it just an anomally? James - Manchester, England