Dihydrocodeine
(4R,4AR,7S,7aR,12bS)-9-methoxy-3-methyl-2,4,4a,5,6,7,7a,13-octahydro-1H-4,12-methanobenzofuro[3,2-e]isoquinolin-7-ol
Drag to rotate. Structure from PubChem CID 5284543.
Background
Listing
- Schedules
- Schedule 2 to 6, conditions apply
- Source
- Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026
Registered medicines
1 registered product listed
Counted through the register's ingredient index, which does not reach every record.
| Name | Brands | Dosages | Applicants | Registrations | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dihydrocodeine | Df, Paracodin | 118 | 3 applicants | 4 registrations | S2 to S6conditions apply |
Regulatory status
Where S2 to S6 sits on the scale
Depends on which listing applies
At the least restrictive, Schedule 2: a pharmacist can sell it directly, without a prescription. At the most restrictive, Schedule 6: prescription-only, no repeats without a new prescription. The listings below say which applies to which form, strength or pack size.
Schedule S2 to S6, as the Consolidated Schedules list it.
Who may supply: A pharmacist dispensing against a written or verbal prescription from an authorised prescriber; a veterinarian, who may also prescribe, compound or dispense it directly; a medical practitioner or dentist, who may prescribe it and may compound or dispense it directly only if licensed under section 22C(1)(a); manufacturers and wholesalers may supply people who may lawfully possess it.
Consolidated Schedules listings for Dihydrocodeine
S6: Dihydrocodeine
- single component dihydrocodeine preparations;
- oral solid preparations, in combination with one or more therapeutically active substances, in preparations not registered in terms of the Act, or when intended for export; (S2, S3)
- liquid oral preparations and mixtures, in combination with one or more therapeutically active substances, in preparations not registered in terms of the Act, or when intended for export. (S2, S3)
Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026, lines 10172 to 10180
S3: Dihydrocodeine
- oral solid preparations, in combination with one or more therapeutically active substances, containing more than 10 milligrams of dihydrocodeine (calculated as base) per dosage unit, when contained in products registered in terms of the Act, and not intended for export;
- liquid oral preparations and mixtures, in combination with one or more therapeutically active substances, containing more than 10 milligrams of dihydrocodeine (calculated as base) per 5 millilitre dosage unit, when contained in products registered in terms of the Act, and not intended for export;
- except oral solid preparations, in combination with one or more therapeutically active substances, containing not more than 10 milligrams of dihydrocodeine (calculated as base) per dosage unit, with a maximum daily dose not exceeding 80 milligrams, and in packs containing sufficient dosage units for a maximum treatment period of 5 days; (S2)
- except liquid oral preparations and mixtures, in combination with one or more therapeutically active substances, containing not more than 10 milligrams of dihydrocodeine (calculated as base) per 5 millilitre dosage unit, with a maximum daily dose not exceeding 80 milligrams, and with a pack size not exceeding 100 millilitres; (S2)
- except single component dihydrocodeine preparations. (S6)
Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026, lines 3438 to 3464
S2: Dihydrocodeine
- oral solid preparations, in combination with one or more therapeutically active substances, containing not more than 10 milligrams of dihydrocodeine (calculated as base) per dosage unit, with a maximum daily dose not exceeding 80 milligrams, and in packs containing sufficient dosage units for a maximum treatment period of 5 days, when contained in products registered in terms of the Act, and not intended for export;
- liquid oral preparations and mixtures, in combination with one or more therapeutically active substances, containing not more than 10 milligrams of dihydrocodeine (calculated as base) per 5 millilitre dosage unit, with a maximum daily dose not exceeding 80 milligrams, and with a pack size not exceeding 100 millilitres, when contained in products registered in terms of the Act, and not intended for export;
- except oral solid preparations, in combination with one or more therapeutically active substances, containing more than 10 milligrams of dihydrocodeine (calculated as base) per dosage unit; (S3)
- except liquid oral preparations and mixtures, in combination with one or more therapeutically active substances, containing more than 10 milligrams of dihydrocodeine (calculated as base) per 5 millilitre dosage unit; (S3)
- except single component dihydrocodeine preparations. (S6)
Consolidated Schedules 06 July 2026, lines 1832 to 1852
This is an informational summary of the Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 and its 2017 General Regulations. It is not medical advice and not legal advice. Always check the medicine's label, which carries the schedule number inside a square border, or ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.