Dihydrocodeine

Dihydrocodeine is a semi-synthetic opioid developed in 1908 in Germany based on codeine and morphine. It was first marketed in 1911. It is 2 times stronger than the original codeine, and 1/6 times weaker than the oral morphine. Usually prescribed for pain relief or antitussive. If it is prescribed for pain relief, usually they use XR which lasts for 12 hours, giving them 60mg per dose, and 60-120mg per day. If it is for cough, they usually use 10mg per dose, and 3 doses per day. But they use tablets combined with things like Paracetamol, Methylephedrine, Guaifenesin, Chlorpheniramine, or Caffeine.

semi-synthetic opioid

Chemical name: Morphinan-6-ol, 4,5-epoxy-3-metoxy-17-metyl-, (5α,6α)-

Chemical Formula: C18-H23-N-O3

Molecule weight: 301

Routes of administration: oral has to be the most good way to take Dihydrocodeine. About the prodrug oral vs other route, please go to the hyperlinked document

Oral bioactivity: 21% (range 12-34;rathers between person’s activity of CYP2D6).[1] It can be more active when it takes together with grapefruit

Oral Dose of recreational use
Dosage Levels
20-50mg	Minimal
50-100mg	Light
100-150mg	Common
150-200mg	Strong
200-400mg+	Heavy
Pharmacological Profile
Onset	45-55 minutes
Comeup	40-50 minutes
Peak	2-2.5 hours
Offset	3-4 hours
Total Duration	7-8 hours
Half-life	3.3-4.5 hours

References

[1] Rowell, F.J., Seymour, R.A. & Rawlins (1983). Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and oral dihydrocodeine and its acid metabolites, pp. 419–424.