Codeine phosphate vs Dihydrocodeine tartrate
National NHS prescribing compared (Prescription Cost Analysis)
Codeine phosphate was dispensed 4.3× as often as Dihydrocodeine tartrate in March 2026 — 499,752 items versus 117,529 in England.
499,752items
Codeine phosphate · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
117,529items
Dihydrocodeine tartrate · March 2026
NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis
Figure 1. Codeine phosphate versus Dihydrocodeine tartrate: national items dispensed by month
▬ Codeine phosphate · ╌ Dihydrocodeine tartrate
Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026
| Measure | Codeine phosphate | Dihydrocodeine tartrate |
|---|---|---|
| Items, March 2026 | 499,752 | 117,529 |
| Items, last 12 months | 5,659,640 | 1,378,278 |
| Net ingredient cost, March 2026 | £1,194,026 | £643,380 |
See the full profile for Codeine phosphate or Dihydrocodeine tartrate.