DHC/Codeine

[PieceByPiece]

So I've heard a lot today that Dihydrocodeine is actually WEAKER than codeine?

How many of you agree with this?

I'm not sure whether they mean in terms of pain relief or a "high". Either way, which is better? Are doses equal? So if you take 60mg codeine, would 30mg DHC give the same effect?

Does DHC get converted to morphine by the body like codeine?

 

[Pilll_head]

Yes, but the conversion is pretty minimal. BL has opioid conversion charts around here somewhere, just do a search. From what I have heard, DHC doesn't have a lot of recreational value and also causes a lot more constipation compared to other opioids like hydro or oxy.

 

[Sprout]

DHC is converted to DHM via the 2D6 demethylation pathway with competitive formation of the inactive metabolite nordihydrocodeine by 3A4. Further metabolism occurs but the predominant effect is from DHC itself and DHM.
Dose wise it's a little closer to 1.5x Codeine IMO/E. The effects are much more rounded than Codeine with a vastly extended duration.

Related paper [fig. 2 shows serum conc./time]