Caffeine & Dihydrocodeine

You'll find caffeine and dihydrocodeine combined with aspirin or acetaminophen in prescription form. These combinations are used to treat pain that is moderate to moderately severe. These medications can interact with other drugs and supplements and are not recommended if you have certain health conditions, so consult a health care provider before using them. Always follow your doctor's direction for dosage.

Caffeine

Caffeine, a central nervous system stimulant, improves blood flow by relaxing muscle contractions in blood vessels. It also increases the level of analgesia, or pain relief, provided by substances like dihydrocodeine and acetaminophen.

Dihydrocodeine

Dihydrocodeine is a narcotic pain reliever related to codeine. It binds to the opiate receptors in your central nervous system., which blocks pain pathways and alters your perception of pain. This drug also leads to generalized central nervous system depression. Your reactions and thinking may become impaired when you take medication containing dihydrocodeine.

Combinations

Caffeine and dihydrocodeine may be combined with aspirin or with acetaminophen. Aspirin is a type of drug called a salicylate, which works by reducing substances in your body that are responsible for fever, pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen inhibits prostaglandin synthesis in your central nervous system. Prostglandins are hormone-like substances that promote inflammation in your body. Acetaminophen also blocks generation of pain impulses.

Considerations

Dihydrocodeine can become habit-forming, so you should only use medicine that contains it if it is prescribed to you. You also need to avoid this substance if you are pregnant. Drinking alcohol with either aspirin, caffeine and dihydrocodeine or acetaminophen, caffeine and dihydrocodeine can increase depression of your central nervous system. Alcohol also raises risk for toxicity due to acetaminophen and raises your risk for stomach bleeding when you take aspirin. Inform your doctor if you have a health condition before considering medication containing caffeine and dihydrocodeine, especially if you have asthma, liver or kidney disease, enlarged prostate, urination problems, epilepsy or seizures, thyroid disorder, head injury history or brain tumor history, gallbladder disease, a history of drug or alcohol addiction, or Addison's disease.

Interactions

Inform your doctor if you take any medications or supplements before taking medication that contains caffeine and dihydrocodeine. Also consult a health care provider before you take any new supplements or medicine while using your medication, even if the medicine is available over the counter. Allergy and cold medicines, for example, may slow your breathing or increase sleepiness caused by dihydrocodeine. Combining dihydrocodeine with narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxers, sleeping pills, antidepressants and seizure medications may have the same effects.