dihydrocodeine tartrate at a glance
Medicine class
Opioid analgesic
Licensed role
Severe pain in cancer and other chronic conditions
Prolonged-release tablet
Swallow whole; breaking, chewing or crushing can release the opioid rapidly and cause overdose
Key safety issue
May cause sleepiness, breathing suppression, tolerance, dependence and addiction
What is dihydrocodeine tartrate used for?
The selected prolonged-release product is licensed for:
Severe pain in cancer.
Severe pain in other chronic conditions.
Use in adults and young people over 12 years; it is not recommended for younger children.
How does dihydrocodeine tartrate work?
Dihydrocodeine acts at opioid receptors in the central nervous system, reducing pain perception and the emotional response to pain. It can also suppress breathing centres and slow bowel movement, contributing to respiratory depression and constipation.
dihydrocodeine tartrate preparations and strengths
Modified-release tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 60 mg, 90 mg, 120 mg
How to take dihydrocodeine tartrate
Take only as prescribed. Swallow prolonged-release tablets whole with water; do not break, chew or crush them. Taking dihydrocodeine with or just after food may help nausea. Do not share it.
Check that the pack is the intended prolonged-release preparation.
Avoid alcohol if it causes sleepiness or other adverse effects.
Store securely, out of children's sight and reach, and return unwanted tablets to a pharmacy.
dihydrocodeine tartrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sleepiness
- Constipation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal discomfort
- Dry mouth
Get urgent medical advice
- Slow, shallow or difficult breathing
- Seizure or loss of consciousness
- Severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat
- Severe dizziness, weakness or faintness suggesting low blood pressure
- Inability to pass stool or gas with marked abdominal swelling or pain
dihydrocodeine tartrate in pregnancy
Benefits and risks require prescriber review. Regular exposure can cause neonatal withdrawal, and use around labour can suppress the newborn's breathing. Maternity teams may need to plan monitoring after birth.
dihydrocodeine tartrate while breastfeeding
The selected prolonged-release product is not recommended during breastfeeding unless considered essential because infant respiratory depression is possible. Cautious use may be supported in full-term, healthy infants after individual assessment. Seek urgent help if the baby becomes unusually sleepy, feeds poorly or has breathing difficulty.
dihydrocodeine tartrate interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about prescribed, non-prescribed and recreational substances. Important interactions include:
Benzodiazepines, sleeping tablets and tranquillisers
Additive sedation can cause profound drowsiness, respiratory depression, coma or death.
Other opioids and codeine-containing painkillers
Combining opioids increases adverse effects and overdose risk; check combination-product ingredients carefully.
Alcohol
Alcohol can increase sleepiness and other serious opioid effects.
Common questions about dihydrocodeine tartrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is dihydrocodeine tartrate an opioid?
Yes. It is an opioid analgesic that acts on receptors in the central nervous system to reduce pain perception.
Can prolonged-release tablets be crushed?
No. Crushing, chewing or breaking them can release the opioid rapidly and cause a potentially fatal overdose.
Can I drive while taking dihydrocodeine tartrate?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.