Dilaudid (hydromorphone HCL) for Pain: Sides Effects & Dosage

What is Dilaudid, and how does it work?

Hydromorphone hydrochloride (HCI) is an opioid narcotic pain reliever similar to oxycodone, morphine, methadone, fentanyl, and other opioids. Hydromorphone, like other opioids, stimulates receptors on nerves in the brain to increase the threshold to pain (increasing the amount of stimulation it takes to feel pain) and reduce the perception of pain (the perceived importance of the pain).

What brand names are available for hydromorphone HCI?

Dilaudid, Dilaudid-5, Dilaudid-HP Injection, and Exalgo are the available brands for hydromorphone hydrochloride.

Is it Dilaudid available as a generic drug?

Yes, hydromorphone is available as in generic form.

Do I need a prescription for this Dilaudid?

Yes, you need a prescription from your doctor or other health care professional for this hydromorphone hydrochloride.

What are the uses for Dilaudid?

Hydromorphone is used for management of acute pain and moderate-to-severe chronic pain in patients when use of an opioid is appropriate.

Dilaudid WARNING

Dilaudid-HP Injection should not be confused with other types of Dilaudid injections or other opioids, as overdose and death could result.
Avoid dosing errors from confusion between mg and mL when dispensing, prescribing, or administering the oral solution. Dosing errors can result in accidental overdose and death.
Hydromorphone exposes patients to risks of addictions, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.
Patients should be monitored closely because serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur.
Prolonged use of hydromorphone during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated. Pregnant woman should be advised of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and appropriate treatment should be available.
Combining opioids with benzodiazepines, alcohol, or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants may result in severe sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.

What are the side effects of Dilaudid?

Common side effects

Other serious side effects

Other serious and important side effects of hydromorphone are respiratory depression and trouble breathing.
Since hydromorphone is a controlled narcotic, it carries a warning of respiratory depression and abuse potential. Use with alcohol or other medications affecting the central nervous system can worsen respiratory depression and may lead to death.

What is the dosage for Dilaudid, and how should it be taken?

Immediate-release tablets: Take 2 to 4 mg tablets by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Increase to 8 mg after careful observation and if needed to control pain.
Extended-release tablets: Start after discontinuation of all other opioid extended-release tablets. Dosed once-daily, individualized based on prior opioid therapy.
Injections: Give 1 to 2 mg intramuscularly or subcutaneously every 2 to 3 hours as needed. Give 0.2 to 1 mg intravenously over 2 to 3 minutes every 2 to 3 hours as needed.
Oral solution: Give 2.5 to 10 mg every 3 to 6 hours as needed.
Rectal suppository: Insert one 3 mg suppository rectally every 6 to 8 hours OR3 to 6 mg rectally every 3 to 4 hours, when appropriate.

Safe and effective use of hydromorphone in children has not been established.

Which drugs or supplements interact with Dilaudid?

Hydromorphone should be used very cautiously with medications that depress the central nervous system (for example, hypnotics, anesthetics, tranquilizers, phenothiazines, and alcohol).

Hydromorphone should be used with caution with mixed agonist/antagonist opioid analgesics (for example, pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol, and buprenorphine) because it may take away the analgesic effect of hydromorphone.

Is it safe to take Dilaudid if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

There are no adequate studies of hydromorphone to determine safe and effective use in pregnant women.
Low levels of opioid medications may be excreted in breast milk; therefore, it should not be used in nursing mothers.

What else should I know about Dilaudid?

What preparations are available?

Hydromorphone is available as immediate-release and extended-release tablets, injection, rectal suppository, and oral liquid forms.

Dilaudid (immediate-release tablets): Available in 2 mg, 4 mg, and 8 mg strengths.
Exalgo (extended-release tablets): Available in 8 mg, 12 mg, 16 mg
Dilaudid (injection solutions): Available in 1mg/ml, 2 mg/ml, and 4 mg/ml strengths.
Dilaudid-HP (high potency injections): Available in two strengths: 250 mg powder for solution and 10 mg/ml injection solution.
Dilaudid-5 (oral solution): Available in 1 mg/ml strength in 473 ml bottle.
Dilaudid (rectal suppository): Available in 3 mg strength.

How should I keep this medication stored?

Hydromorphone tablets are stored at room temperature between 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F). Hydromorphone oral liquid and injections are stored between 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F). Hydromorphone suppositories are stored in a refrigerator, protected from light.

When did the FDA approve this drug?

The FDA approved hydromorphone in January 1984.