Buying dihydrocodeine online can be a good option for people who have pain that is not helped by other drugs such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. However, it is important to make sure you buy from a legitimate pharmacy.
The Guardian has discovered that some online pharmacies have a safeguarding loophole that allows people to order hundreds of powerful opioid painkillers without proper checks. This means they could be selling illegal medicines.
What is dihydrocodeine?
Dihydrocodeine is a drug used for pain relief and to treat coughs. It works by blocking opioid receptors in the brain and helps to relieve pain and suppress coughing.
It is a synthetic opioid that acts on the same receptors as codeine and is similar in structure. It can be found in a range of oral forms, including tablets, sublingual drops and liquid elixirs.
In some countries, dihydrocodeine is marketed in combination products with paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin and caffeine. These products may also contain other active ingredients, such as hydroxyzine and carisoprodol.
Dihydrocodeine is sold over the counter in many European and Pacific Rim countries. Tablets usually contain from 2 to 20 mg of dihydrocodeine per dosing unit, with one or more other active ingredients such as paracetamol (acetaminophen), antihistamines, decongestants, and vitamins.
How does dihydrocodeine work?
Dihydrocodeine is a strong painkiller that works by blocking the signals sent by nerves to the brain. Like other opioid painkillers, dihydrocodeine acts on the same receptors as our natural endorphins to reduce pain.
It can be used to relieve moderate to severe pain when other pain medicines do not work well or cannot be tolerated. It can also be combined with aspirin and caffeine to increase the effect of these medicines.
The body absorbs dihydrocodeine quickly, with peak plasma levels reaching a maximum within two hours of taking it. It has an average half-life of four hours and most of it is eliminated from the body within 24 hours.
However, high doses of dihydrocodeine may take longer to clear the blood. This is because it takes time for the liver and kidneys to break down and remove dihydrocodeine from the body.
When used for a long time or in large amounts, dihydrocodeine can become habit-forming and cause mental or physical dependence. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms if treatment is stopped suddenly.
What are the side effects of dihydrocodeine?
Dihydrocodeine is a type of opioid pain medication that comes in tablets, solutions, elixirs, and suppositories. It is a controlled-release drug, meaning that it must be taken under the supervision of a physician.
This drug may not be safe for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or people who have heart or kidney disease. It can also affect the brain and liver. It can also slow breathing, which is one of the main reasons that overdose deaths happen.
Diahydrocodeine can cause drowsiness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting. These side effects can be uncomfortable and should be treated as soon as possible.
To reduce your risk of dihydrocodeine side effects, always take your medications exactly as your doctor prescribes and as directed by your pharmacist. Tell your doctor about all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, and dietary supplements you are taking.
The most common side effects of dihydrocodeine include drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. These effects can be serious and should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.
Can I buy dihydrocodeine online?
If you need to buy dihydrocodeine online, it’s a good idea to check that you are buying from a registered pharmacy. You can do this by using an internet search engine such as Google, or by contacting a pharmacy online.
Some online pharmacies have been found to be selling illegal opioid drugs to people without a prescription. In one case, an undercover reporter was able to buy 30mg of dihydrocodeine tablets without a prescription from five online pharmacies.
These medications have been shown to have a high risk of addiction, and can cause serious withdrawal effects if they are stopped suddenly. They are not to be used for long periods of time, or by children under 12 years of age without direct medical advice.
Dihydrocodeine works in the central nervous system (CNS) by binding to the body’s opiate receptors. This reduces pain signals from the brain, making you less aware of your pain. It can help relieve pain from conditions such as sciatica, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and blood vessel disease.