HYDROMORPHONE

In this session, we will be discussing the consumer medication information for hydromorphone, trade name Dilaudid^TM.

What it’s for & How to take

Hydromorphone is used to relieve sharp or sudden moderate to severe pain. This medication is an opiate, and it works in the brain to block how the body recognizes pain.

Hydromorphone is usually prescribed to be taken in the lowest effective dose for the shortest effective treatment cycle. Your dose is based on your condition and response to treatment. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. This medication may be taken with or without food.

This medication works best when taken at the first sign of pain. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well or may take much longer for you to notice the expected pain relief.

If you have an ongoing pain syndrome, such as cancer or chronic back pain, you may be taking hydromorphone along with a long-acting pain medication. This medication is used for sudden or sharp pain that flares up during certain times of the day.

Tell your doctor if your pain is not getting better. Your dose is based on your current condition and may need to be changed as your condition changes. If you have been taking this medication for an extended period of time, do not suddenly stop taking it because you may feel uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms such as muscle aches, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. Your doctor may decrease your dose over a time to decrease the withdrawal symptoms.

Most Important Warnings

• If this medication is used on a patient not used to taking narcotics, they may stop breathing. Serious or fatal cases have happened even with the regular dose.
• This medication has an increased risk of abuse, addiction, and theft. Let your doctor know if you or anyone in your family has a history of substance abuse. Store this medication in a safe place to prevent theft.
• If a child accidentally takes even one tablet, they may stop breathing and die.
• When pregnant mothers use this medication, the unborn child is at risk. The newborn may need prolonged withdrawal treatment.
• Combining this medication with anxiety medications, such as diazepam or alprazolam, may cause extreme sleepiness, significant breathing difficulties, and death.

Other Warnings & Cautions

• Rarely, this medication may cause a drug seeking or addictive behavior. This risk is increased if you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse. If you follow the directions on the label and stay in good communication with your doctor and pharmacist, then the chances for addiction are lower.
• The elderly may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication, especially the drowsiness, dizziness, constipation and urinary problems.
• Do not drive or do any activity that requires focus and attention until you are sure you can do them safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages while using hydromorphone.
• Infants born to mothers who are using this medication are at risk. This medication should only be used during pregnancy when the benefit to the mother is greater than the risk to the unborn baby.
• Hydromorphone passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended while using this medication.

Interactions & Side Effects

• Tell your pharmacist or doctor all your medication allergies so they may determine if hydromorphone is safe for you to use.
• Avoid dangerous drug interactions. Tell your pharmacist or doctor all the other medication you are taking, including over the counter supplements, even if you don’t take them very often.
• Ask your doctor if this medication is safe to take with your current health conditions. Tell your doctor if you have a slow bowel, chronic constipation, seizures, slow heartbeat, trouble urinating, low blood pressure, a family history of substance abuse or any other disease you have a history of.
• While using hydromorphone, you may feel some nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness or constipation. If these or any other unwanted side effects persist, contact your doctor or pharmacist to talk about it with them.
• Constipation may be a problem when this medication is used. Talk with your pharmacist about what would work best for you to keep your bowels moving.
• Call your doctor right away if you have any heartbeat changes, hallucinations, seizure, loss of coordination or any other significant side effects.
• Call emergency 911 if you have any difficulty breathing.

If you have any questions about what you have heard, contact your pharmacist or doctor. This session does not include all the potential interactions or side effects that this medication may cause. Ask your pharmacist how your medication should be stored and how you should dispose of it when you are done taking it. Do not share your medication with anyone, ever. Remember, this is not meant to replace your counseling session with your pharmacist. In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Updated 7/20