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PharmaInsight

Hydromorphone hydrochloride vs Codeine phosphate

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

Codeine phosphate was dispensed 1,711.5× as often as Hydromorphone hydrochloride in March 2026 — 499,752 items versus 292 in England.

292items

Hydromorphone hydrochloride · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

499,752items

Codeine phosphate · March 2026

NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis

Figure 1. Hydromorphone hydrochloride versus Codeine phosphate: national items dispensed by month

▬ Hydromorphone hydrochloride   ·   ╌ Codeine phosphate

Codeine phosphat… 292

Source: NHSBSA Prescription Cost Analysis, to March 2026

Hydromorphone hydrochloride versus Codeine phosphate, March 2026
Measure Hydromorphone hydrochloride Codeine phosphate
Items, March 2026 292 499,752
Items, last 12 months 3,793 5,659,640
Net ingredient cost, March 2026 £7,601 £1,194,026

See the full profile for Hydromorphone hydrochloride or Codeine phosphate.