my friend has been on dihydrocodeine for a long time now, and although i've looked into it in some depth (i'm a mental health nurse myself) i still wonder if other people have experienced other long term effects other than the usual stuff mentioned in the BNF etc... mood swings, blackouts, narcolepsy and so on.
RGN myself Trillipse, and the most common side-effect I've noticed amongst patients is chronic constipation, although I saw a documentary a few years back of people addicted to codeine-based painkillers, so it's probably best not to stay on it for too long. When I've taken it myself, it's made me a bit drowsy, but that's about it.
i have been on it for about 7 years on and off ... the only effects ive had from it are a woozy type feeling when i first take it if i havent had to take any for a long time (very nice feeling!) and secondly at times i have found it a little bit hard to stop taking it when i didnt need it anymore. Btw im also a nurse, so theres 3 of us here this morning!