Main use Active ingredient Manufacturer
Moderate to severe pain  Dihydrocodeine tartrate Martindale

How does it work?
DF 118 forte tablets contain the active ingredientdihydrocodeine, which is a type of medicine called an opioid painkiller. (NB.Dihydrocodeine is also available without a brand name, ie as thegeneric medicine.)

Opioid painkillers work by mimicking the action of naturallyoccurring pain-reducing chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins are found inthe brain and spinal cord and reduce pain by combining with opioid receptors.

Dihydrocodeine mimicks the action of natural endorphins bycombining with the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This blocksthe transmission of pain signals sent by the nerves to the brain. Therefore,even though the cause of the pain may remain, less pain is actually felt.

Dihydrocodeine is used to relieve moderate to severepain.

What is it used for?
Moderate to severe pain.
Warning!
This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.
If this medicine is taken regularly for long periods of time, the body can become tolerant to it and it may become less effective at relieving pain. With prolonged use, the body may also become dependent on the dihydrocodeine. As a result, when you then stop taking the medicine you may get withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness and irritability.
Prolonged use of a painkiller for headaches can make them worse.
Use with caution in
Elderly people
Decreased liver function
Decreased kidney function
Asthma
Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
Enlarged prostate gland (prostatic hypertrophy)
Constipation
Obstruction of the bowel
Disorders of the bile ducts
History of drug dependence or abuse.
Not to be used in
Children under 12 years of age
Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
People having an asthma attack
Alcohol intoxication
Paralysis or inactivity in the intestines that prevents material moving through the gut (paralytic ileus)
People with a head injury or raised pressure inside the skull (raised intracranial pressure).
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one orany of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you havepreviously experienced such anallergy.If you feel you haveexperienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform yourdoctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy orbreastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy orbreastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to theunborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning apregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester, unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Small amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk. It should be avoided in women who are breastfeeding, unless considered essential by your doctor and the potential benefits to the mother outweigh any possible risks of dihydrocodeine on the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Label warnings
Take this medication with or after food.
This medication may cause drowsi