DIHYDROCODEINE

Route of Administration By intramuscular or deep subcutaneous injection Adults Patients who are unable to be treated with the tablets or elixir may be given up to 50mg by intramuscular or deep subcutaneous injection. 5 to 1mg/kg body weight every 4 to 6 hours.

Not recommended for children under 4 years. Elderly A reduced dose should be given

Constipation, nausea, vomiting, headache and vertigo occur and are relatively more common when the dose is increased above 30mg. If constipation occurs it can be treated with a gentle laxative. Other undesirable effects include drowsiness, respiratory depression, difficulty with micturition, dry mouth, sweating, headache, miosis, facial flushing, postural hypotension, hallucinations, dysphoria, mood changes, dependence, rashes and pruritus.

4. Special Warnings and Special Precautions for Use As dihycirocodeine may bring about histamine release, it should be administered with due care to patients with asthma. Dosage should be reduced in the elderly, in hypothyroidism, hypotension, in chronic hepatic disease and in renal insufficiency.

Opioid analgesics should be avoided in those patients with raised intracranial pressure or head injury. Dihydrocodeine injection should be avoided in patients with decreased respiratory reserve, prostatic hypertrophy and convulsive disorders.

3. Contra-Indications Respiratory depression, obstructive airways disease, phaeochromocytoma, hypersensitivity to the active ingredients or excipients or acute asthma attack. Dihydrocodeine Injection should be avoided where there is a risk of paralytic ileus.