Which pain killer is the strongest,codeine phosphate or dihydrocodeine tartate?
Codeine phosphate is a weak opiate with quite poor analgesic properties. It has all the disadvantages of opiates without the plus of doing all that much for pain. When added to paracetamol it adds only about 5% to the level of pain relief. It is however addictive, constipating and can produce headache and abdominal pain. Dihydrocodiene has the same side effects, though it is more addictive. It does however produce fairly consistent levels of analgesia. It has fallen out of fashion, partly because it has become such a well traded street drug, in favour of tramadol. This drug is less addictive, gives little buzz and yet gives excellent pain relief.
