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PharmaInsight

Codeine phosphate vs Diphenhydramine hydrochloride/pholcodine

National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Data updated March 2026

Codeine phosphate was dispensed 6,515.0× as often as Diphenhydramine hydrochloride/pholcodine in March 2026 — 6,515 items versus 1 in England.

6,515items

Codeine phosphate · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

1items

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride/pholcodine · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Codeine phosphate versus Diphenhydramine hydrochloride/pholcodine: national items dispensed by month

▬ Codeine phosphate   ·   ╌ Diphenhydramine hydrochloride/pholcodine

Diphenhydramine… 6,515

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Codeine phosphate versus Diphenhydramine hydrochloride/pholcodine, March 2026
Measure Codeine phosphate Diphenhydramine hydrochloride/pholcodine
Items, March 2026 6,515 1
Items, last 12 months 73,779 1
Net ingredient cost, March 2026 £167,309 £3

See the full profile for Codeine phosphate or Diphenhydramine hydrochloride/pholcodine.