Dihydrocodeine

Dihydrocodeine is available usually as Tablets, and also as prolonged-release tablets, oral liquid, and sometimes in injectable ampoules for intra-muscular administration.

Desired Effects:

Euphoria, reduced anxiety, relaxation, pain relief.

Side Effects:

Drowsiness, confusion, disorientation, nausea & sickness, itching and flushing of the skin, constipation.

Long term risks:

Physical and psychological Dependence with repeated use. Many dihydrocodeine preparations contain analgesics such as paracetamol, which in high doses can be toxic to the liver.

Short term risks:

Tolerance, accidents, overdose. As with codeine, intravenous administration should be avoided, as it could result in damage to veins and circulation, fluid on the lungs which can be very dangerous, and a serious allergic reaction that can result in death.

Semi-synthetic opioid analgesic. Central nervous system Depressant, Analgesic, cough suppressant.

Tablets are Class B under the Misuse of Drugs Act, while injectable Ampoules are Class A. Prescription only medicine (small amounts of dihydrocodeine are in some medicines which can be bought without prescription from pharmacies).

Tablets are swallowed orally. Dihydrocodeine does not dissolve in water and is therefore difficult to inject - users who have attempted crushing tablets to inject report a painful experience. Injectable ampoules are for intra-muscular injection only.

If injected, prepared ampoules, needle, syringe.

To treat moderate to severe pain as well as coughing and shortness of breath. Dihydrocodeine can be found in other medicines such as Co-dydramol and Paramol both of which also contain paracetamol.

This is a pharmaceutical drug which is sometimes diverted from manufacturers, pharmacies or GPs prescriptions.

DF users can access support from 'street agencies' or projects, sometimes called community drug services or community drug teams, which offer a range of services including information and advice, counselling, detoxification and prescribing for opiate users, needle exchanges and sometimes support groups and other services such as acupuncture. Some may have extended opening hours and may be open at weekends. GPs and hospitals can make referrals to specialist drug services like Drug Dependency Units (DDUs). These are usually located in or adjacent to a hospital and specialise in helping problem drug users, especially people who are physically dependent. They provide counselling, detoxification, substitute prescribing and other treatments. Residential services offer treatment programmes for heavily dependent drug users who are trying to give up. Residents must usually be drug free on admission which means they usually have to undergo detoxification before entry. Programmes usually last 3-6 months, but some 12 steps programmes last longer. The types of programmes vary. Self help groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) co-ordinate local support groups for problem drug users around the country. Families Anonymous run similar groups for the families of drug users.

Parents & other relatives

Drug agencies also provide lots of advice and support to parents of people using these drugs. Many street agencies can provide relative support groups or counselling for family members, partners etc.