Cautions with other medicines
Some medicines can affect dihydrocodeine.
Tell a doctor if you're taking any of these medicines before you start taking dihydrocodeine:
- sleeping pills or tranquillisers
- medicines for depression or other mental health conditions
- medicines to stop you feeling sick or vomiting, such as domperidone or metoclopramide
- antihistamines or hay fever tablets
- medicines to treat anxiety
- mexiletine to control your heart rhythm
Taking dihydrocodeine with other painkillers
It's safe to take dihydrocodeine with paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin (do not give aspirin to children under 16 years of age).
However, if you're prescribed co-dydramol, Paramol, Remedeine or Remedeine Forte, do not take paracetamol as these brands already contain paracetamol and dihydrocodeine.
Do not take dihydrocodeine with painkillers that contain codeine. You'll be more likely to get side effects. These include:
- co-codamol (codeine and paracetamol)
- Nurofen Plus (codeine and ibuprofen)
- co-codaprin (codeine and aspirin)
- Solpadeine (codeine, paracetamol, ibuprofen and caffeine)
Always follow the instructions that come with your medicine.
Mixing dihydrocodeine with herbal remedies and supplements
There's not enough information to say whether dihydrocodeine is safe to take with herbal remedies and supplements. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.
Important: Medicine safety
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.