What Is Dihydrocodeine And What Is It For?

Today there are many medications that are used as a treatment to end a cough, so choosing one can be somewhat difficult. That is why doctors tend to prescribe some drug to treat these conditions and one of them is dihydrocodeine, which is a narcotic that belongs to the group of  opioids and tends to be widely used by people, due to its effectiveness with the one that acts to end this problem.

As was well said, this drug is indicated mainly for the treatment of dry cough, although it is also used to relieve various pains, this thanks to all the properties it presents in its composition. To take advantage of all the benefits, it comes in various presentations such as syrup, drops and capsules; However, it is the syrup that is most used by people, because it is the one that has the best effect on coughs.

What is dihydrocodeine for?

The dihydrocodeine drug is very versatile, since it can be used as a treatment for people and even for dogs, this because it contains endless properties within its composition, which are of great help to treat different conditions and therefore maintain a good health. For this reason, its use is usually highly recommended and prescribed by both doctors and veterinarians.

Among the most important benefits of this drug are the following:

Dihydrocodeine for dry cough

Dry cough is a very common problem among people, this condition tends to irritate the throat and chest, that is why it is necessary to treat it as soon as possible and for this there are many medications intended for this purpose. However, one highly recommended by doctors is dihydrocodeine, since it contains very interesting properties that make it effective to treat dry cough quickly and without leaving a trace of it.

Dihydrocodeine for pain relief

Dihydrocodeine is a drug that is ideal for people, because it serves as a treatment to relieve certain pain, since thanks to its properties, it acts on the central nervous system and blocks the transmission of pain signals to the brain.

Dihydrocodeine for dogs

Dihydrocodeine is a drug that is not only prescribed for people, since it can also be given to dogs, in case they have a cough. However, it is important to consult with a veterinarian before, since this way you will be able to know the recommended dose according to the weight, age and breed of the pet.

Properties of dihydrocodeine

There is no doubt that dihydrocodeine is a drug that provides many benefits, which is why it is often widely used and prescribed by doctors. However, it is important to know that all these benefits are possible thanks to the properties of this narcotic, which give it that important medicinal effect.

Among the most outstanding properties of this drug are the following:

• Cough suppressant properties.
• Analgesic properties

Dihydrocodeine and its presentations

For people who need to follow a treatment based on the drug dihydrocodeine, they can find it in various presentations such as:

• Syrup: 120ml bottle.
• Drops: 30ml bottle.
• Capsules: 60 capsules.

However, as already mentioned above, the most well-known and used presentation by people is syrup.

Where to buy the drug dihydrocodeine?

This drug can be easily purchased at any physical pharmacy in the country, as well as on the Internet because today there are many laboratories and stores that sell online. On the other hand, in case this drug is desired for a pet, it can also be found in a veterinarian, although it is rare to find it in these stores.

Dihydrocodeine and its recommended dose: How do you take dihydrocodeine syrup?

Dihydrocodeine syrup is given orally and should only be prescribed by a specialist doctor, as it can be toxic for some people. As for its dose, it will depend on the condition to be treated and on each patient, since not everyone will require the same amount.

On the other hand, it is important to mention that people should not self-medicate, so it is recommended to see a doctor before ingesting this drug, this in order to know exactly the dose that is needed according to the case to be treated.

However, in general terms it can be said that the dose of this drug tends to be the following:

• Dihydrocodeine dosage for adults: 1 or 2 teaspoons three times a day.
• Dihydrocodeine dosage for children: for children who are 2 to 5 years old, half a teaspoon and 1 teaspoon for those 6 to 12 years old. It should be noted that this drug is not recommended for premature children or children under 2 years of age.

As was well said, these data are general, so they should not be taken into account if the doctor prescribed another dose, since each case may be different. That is why all the indications given by the health specialist must be followed to the letter.

Precautions to be taken before and during dihydrocodeine treatment

There are certain precautions in the use of this medicine, which must be taken into account to avoid inconveniences and make the treatment effective. Among these important aspects are the following:

• Do not self-medicate.

• Before starting treatment, the doctor should be informed if you suffer from any particular disease.

• Inform your doctor if you are taking another medicine.

• Once the treatment is started, it is important to respect the dose and schedule.

• In case of forgetting a dose, it should be given immediately, but if the time for the next dose is approaching, it is better to forget it and continue with the normal treatment, since it should not be duplicated.

• If during treatment you begin to witness some symptoms, it is necessary to see a doctor and stop using the medicine.

• Keep the medicine in a place that is out of the reach of children.

Dihydrocodeine contraindications: For which cases is it not recommended?

Despite the fact that it is a drug that provides many health benefits, its use is not recommended for all people, since it could become toxic for them and cause a series of complications or adverse reactions. That is why it is necessary to consult with a doctor before ingesting this drug, since in this way it will be possible to know if it is safe or not.

However, although it is advisable to consult a doctor, since each case may be different, it is important to know that the use of this medication is contraindicated in the following cases:

• People who have an allergy to any component of the drug, as it could cause a reaction.
• Patients with severe respiratory depression or obstructive airway disease.
• Those who suffer from asthma.
• Children under 2 years of age.
• Pregnant or lactating women.

Dihydrocodeine side effects

Dihydrocodeine is a drug that can cause some side effects on people’s health, especially if they ingest it excessively and for a long time. That is why it is extremely necessary to follow the indications and take only the dose dictated by the specialist in the health area, this in order to avoid adverse reactions.

Side effects caused by this drug include:

• Constipation.
• Nausea or vomiting
• Drowsiness.
• Vertigo.
• Headache.
• Physical dependency.
• Loss of appetite
• Reduction of respiratory rate.
• Dry mouth

Although these effects are usually mild and transitory, it is important that people stop using this medicine if they develop these symptoms, and even consult a doctor if they last.

Is the use of the drug dihydrocodeine recommended?

For those who wish to follow a treatment with dihydrocodeine, it is important that they know that this drug is highly recommended, since it contains properties that are very beneficial to treat various conditions and maintain the health of patients in optimal conditions. However, as with any other drug, it can cause some adverse reactions, especially if it is ingested excessively and the necessary precautions are not taken into account.

That is why it is necessary to consult with a doctor before using this medicine, since this is the only specialist who can indicate whether it is safe or not and, if it is, the dose that is needed to treat the case.