Diamorphine linctus

Diamorphine is also used for severe cough (Diamorphine Linctus). 

Opioids are usually formulated as linctuses for antitussive use. Deciding on which agent to use depends largely on whether sedation and analgesia may be useful actions of the linctus. Hence methadone or diamorphine linctus may be preferred in patients with advanced bronchial carcinoma. In contrast, pholcodine, being nonsedating and nonaddictive, is widely incorporated into over-the-counter linctuses. 

The most commonly used opiate substitute is methadone which has been available since the Second World War. It is a potent analgesic with a long half life, and thus once substituted for diamorphine can be reduced over a variable period of time. It is available in ampoules (for injection), tablets, linctus (2 mg in 5 ml), and mixture (1 mg in 1 ml). The use of ampoules and tablets is to be discouraged and many centres now are using the methadone mixture. This can be prescribed by any medical practitioner and requires no central licence. The use of ampoules and tablets has led to abuse, and these preparations have more of a black market value than the mixture. The amount of mixture used will depend on the amount of street heroin consumed and its potency, but it is usual to start at a safe dosage of between 30 and 50 mg daily for opiate dependents consuming half to one gramme... 

Elixir of Diamorphine and Terpin, B,P,C. Diamorphine hydrochloride 0-1 per cent, with terpin hydrate in a mixture with alcohol, glycerin and syrup of wild cherry. It is assayed by the method given below for Linctus of Diamorphine. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ ]

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