Source: Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (NZ) Revision Year: 2017 Publisher: Distributed on behalf of Mundipharma New Zealand Limited by: Pharmaco (N.Z.) Ltd, 4 Fisher Crescent, Mt Wellington, Auckland 1060, Ph: (09) 377-3336, Toll Free [Medical Enquiries]: 0800 773 310
DHC CONTINUS tablets are recommended for use in the treatment of post-operative pain, and pain associated with cancer.
DHC CONTINUS tablets are also indicated for the treatment of opioid-responsive, chronic severe pain of non-malignant origin, after other conservative methods of analgesia have been tried. It is indicated for use in accordance with the current guidelines on chronic pain management and where there is no psychological contraindication, medicine-seeking behaviour or history of medicine misuse.
The tablets should be taken at twelve-hourly intervals at a dose of 60-120mg twice daily depending on the severity of the patient’s pain. The maximum recommended dose is 240mg daily since higher doses do not provide any further analgesic effect.
Not recommended.
DHC CONTINUS tablets should be administered initially at the lowest dose possible in elderly or debilitated patients, patients with impaired renal function, impaired hepatic function, or hypothyroidism.
DHC CONTINUS tablets must be swallowed whole and not broken, chewed or crushed.
Acute overdosage with dihydrocodeine can be manifested by somnolence progressing to stupor or coma, miotic pupils, bradycardia, hypotension, rhabdomyolysis and respiratory depression or apnoea, which may – in severe cases – result in a fatal outcome.
A patent airway must be maintained. The pure opioid antagonists are specific antidotes against symptoms from opioid overdose. Other supportive measures should be employed as needed. For advice on the management of overdose please contact the National Poisons Centre on 0800 POISON (0800 764766).
3 years.
Store below 30°C. Protect from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.
60 tablets. Bottles with polypropylene lid and polyethylene body.
None.
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