Dihydrocodeine is an opioid pain-relief medication that works by reducing the pain in your body by easing its sensation in the brain. This is often suggested for moderate to severe types of pain. As with any medication, the leaflet accompanying the medicine and your doctor’s recommendations regarding the dosage should be strictly followed to avoid side effects.
Dihydrocodeine—Effective Pain Relief After Surgery
Opiod analgesics are the most popular form of pain relief that is employed when a patient is suffering from pain post surgery. These offer substantial relief and allow the patient to rest without being overwhelmed by the sensation. This in effect improves their ability to recover faster.
Of the various opioid analgesics, dihydrocodeine is one that is most popularly prescribed due to it’s extent of effectiveness. Depending on the condition, you may be prescribed dihydrocodeine 30mg or 60 mg. The effectiveness of this medicine is due to the fact that the formula is released slowly, thereby leading to management of long term pain. Continuous dosages will ensure round-the-clock pain relief and the patient can recuperate better following surgery when ondihydrocodeine 30mg for a specified period of time.
The Right Dosage for Pain Relief—30mg or 60 mg?
The dosage of dihydrocodeine should be determined based on your particular condition. The best judge for what would be effective is your doctor. The typical dosage that is recommended when buying dihydrocodeine in UK is in 30 mg. However, 60 mg dosages are also available.
The general suggested dosage for effective pain relief is 30 mg. However, in cases where the condition is severe and requires better pain management, your doctor may put you on a higher dosage. In either case, you should take note of any side effects and report them to your doctor in a timely fashion. Also, as with any medication, you should discuss underlying medical conditions if any, before starting with this medication.
How to Effectively use Dihydrocodeine for Pain Management?
There are certain conditions in which dihydrocodeine is counter-indicated. If you regularly consume alcohol, this medication may interfere and cause side effects. Hence, you should first discuss this with your doctor and get permission to proceed before commencing the dosage. It is likely that your doctor will suggest that you avoid consuming alcohol while using this medication to reduce the chances of suffering from side effects.
Dihydrocodeine is an analgesic with an addictive nature. Continuous use beyond the recommended time duration may cause you to become increasingly dependent on it. Hence, it is essential to stick to the recommended dosage and continue it further only upon recommendation by your doctor. Possible problems caused by this medication include dizziness, constipation, nausea, or abdominal pain. Most of these side effects can be counter-balanced by simple relief measures. These include reducing spicy meals while on the medicine, consuming plenty of water, staying hydrated, avoidance of alcohol, and reducing sugar consumption. If dizziness occurs, it is best not to drive or operate heavy machinery to avoid the unwanted associated risks.
Not all people suffer from side effects of medicines, but it is a possibility. Hence, it is suggested to keep close watch over new symptoms and report them to your doctor. This medication is not recommended for pregnant and breast-feeding mothers as it may affect the child adversely.
If there are other medications that you consume on a regular basis, ensure that you check whether it is compatible with dihydrocodeine before starting the dosage. Although the likelihood of interference is less, it is best to check this out to avoid any possibility of adverse reactions due to this. You can check for this information either with your pharmacist or with the doctor who prescribed your medicine.
