Dihydrocodeine is an opioid medication formulated in combination with acetaminophen and caffeine. In countries outside the United States, the drug is sometimes available on its own, but in the US, only the combination product is available. The two brand names are Trezix and Panlor.
Dihydrocodeine products are prescribed for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Because dihydrocodeine is formulated with caffeine and acetaminophen, it is mostly prescribed to treat headaches.
Dihydrocodeine has the same potency to codeine and is very similar in dosing and effect. The drug is rarely prescribed because codeine can treat the same conditions and is more readily available. Therefore, any time a clinician is treating a condition that dihydrocodeine can be used for, they will probably prescribe codeine instead.
Despite being prescribed only rarely, dihydrocodeine products have the potential for abuse because the drug is an opioid medication. Opioids work by attaching to opioid receptors on the surface of nerve cells, which slows or stops the feeling of pain. With enough activation, opioid receptors can cause pleasure and euphoria, making it sought after for its feel-good effects.
As with other opioids, abusing dihydrocodeine can lead to overdose, which causes serious health consequences that can sometimes be fatal.