What is the difference between codeine and dihydrocodeine?

[Joe willie]

What are the differences between the two drugs??
Thanks~

[gangjaman]

i think dihydrocodeine is twice as strong? pretty sure it is stronger than codeine just dont know the exact number. but yea it is supposedly better

[Xzentric]

1.5 - 2x stronger than codeine.

Dhc is not a pro drug, and does not need to be converted by the liver for it to work. This means there is no ceiling effect unlike codeine so you can redose with full effect.

The recommended Max daily does of dhc is around 240mg, but can be up to 700mg in some cases and it comes in a variety of 30 - 40mg instant release tablets and 60 - 90 - 120mg slow release tablets.

Not very popular in the USA but is more available in uk, they say it's the uk's equivalent of Vicodin which we do not have here. Although Vicodin is slightly stronger they both share the euphoric buzz and are both stimulating unlike codeine which can be quite sedating to some

[hatettopay]

240mg is NOT dhc max daily dose. You can take a helluva lot more, althought it is not like morphine where you can take as much as you like given tolerance. I have heard 720mg figure bandied about and I may take even more than that in one go on occasion and have probably taken 1.5g in one go + other opiates at same time. Thank fook I'm self employed*

Also euphoric effects are better than codeine.

(Note when I say that - if you are opioid naive for ****'s sake please don't take 720mg of dihydrocodeine - or if you do, please make out your will in my favour first

*Quite fun - a completely opioid naive friend of mine took only 60mg - and it was prescribed for him for legit reasons - and in his words he spent the entire day at work staring into space. Still, he only managed the entire worldwide interest rate exposure of one of the 5 largest banks in the world, so no harm done

[Jellyfish]

The ceiling for codeine is approx. 600mg With the LD50 anywhere between 450 onwards.

240mg, doesn't factor in anywhere , for either drug.

Anything over 600mg, would be a pointless, and would do more harm than good, and anyone needing to be taking doses this high, should be speaking to their GP about an alternative. (imo)

[hatettopay]

Ms fish, the LD50 for codeine is nothing like 450, honestly... that's orders of magnitude out.

Same with DHC btw, I was being flippant. Just saying that 720mg would NOT be nice for an opioid intolerant person.

Actually, since you're such a clued up lady, I suspect I'm misinterpreting what you're saying agian!

[sophie30]

Wow I thought the codeine ceiling was more like 300mgs!

[hatettopay]

don't forget codeine ceiling is cause of hwo your liver breaks it down so if you feed it in over time you can take quite a bit more...

tbh, codeine is a bit of a rubbish opiate... other models are avaliable, as they say say

[howdy2]

For me, DHC is better. It does not seem to have the big ups and downs that codeine can have. The other effects are similar.

Knowing what I know now, DHC is my choice.

[Richh]

The US puts so many additives in the drugs that the side effects are like reading a book. DHC118s in the UK are not dumbed down so Big Pharma can sell double generics and charge twice the price. DHC is very effective only problem is the body loves this idea of NO PAIN too much. Way better than codeine and fewer side effects. But, go with caution.

[Xzentric]

Ms fish, the LD50 for codeine is nothing like 450, honestly... that's orders of magnitude out.

Same with DHC btw, I was being flippant. Just saying that 720mg would NOT be nice for an opioid intolerant person.

Actually, since you're such a clued up lady, I suspect I'm misinterpreting what you're saying agian!

I thought codeine had a ceiling effect of 300mg before it was pointless,

As for dhc, I meant 240mg was the recommended max daily does. I myself take a lot more but like you say, to an opiate niave person, this isn't a good idea.

[Face]

All reliable sources that I know, including pharmer.com, say that DHC is 1-1.5 as potent as Codeine. Wich means 1-1.5mg of codiene equals 1mg of DHC.

[dingleberry]

Huge difference, DHC is stronger and contains no tylenol or other crap as a filler so you can take as many as you please.

[sophie30]

Codeine doesn't always contain filler, its available straight from a number of sources.

[sweettea]

Is there a product made of codeine that does not include the acetameniphin? I really think that this is often what causes people to have more problems than the actual codeine. If you take this type, Is it not as effective for pain relief?

Is there a product made of codeine that does not include the acetameniphin? I really think that this is often what causes people to have more problems than the actual codeine. If you take this type, Is it not as effective for pain relief?

*This post was auto-merged. The following text was added 3 minutes after the last post:*

When I take codeine, I try not to abuse it....and I have had some ( not total) success. When I went to the Dr. to get a physical the last time, I was so disappointed to find that my Liver function was not great. Fortunately, I think it's something that can be treated by using regular codeine without oarectomal

[sophie30]

Yes, I take straight 30 mg codeine, and I find it to be more effective and less harmful than codeine with an nsaid or acetaminophen in it. Of course everyone's needs are different, I know someone here for whom the codeine + an nsaid is most effective.

[hatettopay]

I thought codeine had a ceiling effect of 300mg before it was pointless,

As for dhc, I meant 240mg was the recommended max daily does. I myself take a lot more but like you say, to an opiate niave person, this isn't a good idea.

There is indeed a ceiling aroudn 300-450 level. But that is not the same as LD50.