What is Dilaudid (hydromorphone) used for?
- Pain that isn’t relieved by non-opioid medications
How Dilaudid (hydromorphone) works
Hydromorphone Hydrochloride 8mg Tablet is an opioid medication. It attaches to certain proteins called mu-opioid receptors in your brain to change how you react to pain. This helps lower how much pain you feel. LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS MEDICATION HERE
What are the risks and warnings for Dilaudid (hydromorphone)?
Hydromorphone Hydrochloride 8mg Tablet can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of accidental overdose
- Risk factors: Not taking Dilaudid (hydromorphone) properly | History of opioid use disorder | Previous opioid overdose | Taking medications that can slow the body down | Alcohol use | Taking high opioid doses | Taking more opioids than prescribed | Age 65 years or older | Age 18 years or younger
It’s possible to accidentally take too much Hydromorphone Hydrochloride 8mg Tablet, even at recommended doses. Overdoses can be life-threatening if it’s not recognized or treated in time. Overdoses can also happen if it’s accidentally taken by a child or a loved one. In addition, overdoses are possible if you’re not careful with how you’re taking the form of Dilaudid (hydromorphone) that you have. Make sure you’re taking the correct dose and form. Be sure you know the difference between mg (for the pill) and mL (for the liquid), how to measure the liquid dose, and how to use suppositories. Mixing this up can be extremely dangerous and even deadly.
Your healthcare provider might recommend that you carry naloxone (Narcan) with you at all times to quickly treat an overdose if it happens. It’s important for you and your caregiver to know how to use naloxone (Narcan) in case there’s an accidental overdose. Opioid overdose symptoms can include extremely slowed breathing, slow heartbeat, extreme sleepiness, cold or clammy skin, and not responding to sound or touch. Call 911 right away if you think an overdose has happened.
Potential for addiction and misuse
- Risk factors: Personal or family history of substance or alcohol abuse | History of mental health conditions
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) has a risk of addiction and misuse. Addiction can develop even at recommended doses as prescribed or when Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is used for reasons other than prescribed (misuse). Sometimes, addiction and misuse can lead to life-threatening overdose. To lower the risk of addiction and misuse, your healthcare provider will prescribe the lowest amount of Dilaudid (hydromorphone) that’s necessary for you for the shortest period of time possible.
Because of the high risk of addiction and misuse, the FDA requires a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program for Dilaudid (hydromorphone). Under the Opioid Analgesic REMS program, your healthcare provider will go over how to take Dilaudid (hydromorphone) safely, what its risks are, and proper storage and disposal. These steps help keep you and your loved ones safe. If you have concerns about taking Dilaudid (hydromorphone), talk to your provider about other treatment options for pain.
Potentially life-threatening slowed breathing (respiratory depression)
- Risk factors: Age 65 years or older | People who are very weak | Severe asthma | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | Other conditions that cause respiratory depression (e.g., head injury) | Taking medications that can cause slowed breathing | Alcohol use | Taking high doses of Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) can cause extremely slowed breathing that can be life-threatening. This can happen at any time, even when the medication is used as recommended by your provider. But the risk is generally the highest when you first start the medication or after your dose is raised. Don’t take Dilaudid (hydromorphone) with alcohol or other medications that can slow your body down (e.g., benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants). Doing so can slow down your breathing even more. If you or a loved one notices that you have trouble breathing or have bluish-colored lips, fingers, or toes, get medical help right away.
Harm to newborn babies when taken during pregnancy
- Risk factors: Long-term use during pregnancy
During pregnancy, opioids like Dilaudid (hydromorphone) can be passed from you to your unborn baby through the placenta. If you take Dilaudid (hydromorphone) for a long period of time during pregnancy, there’s a risk that your unborn baby can become dependent on the medication. Once your baby is born, they can develop a condition called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) and experience withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms in your newborn can include high-pitched crying, poor feeding and sucking behavior, trembling, irritability, and sometimes seizures. This condition can be life-threatening if not recognized and treated in time. Let your healthcare provider know if you’ve used Dilaudid (hydromorphone) during pregnancy or if you notice these symptoms in your baby.
Low hormone levels
Some people taking opioids like Dilaudid (hydromorphone) experienced a drop in their hormone levels. This is more likely to happen if you take the medication for longer than a month. Symptoms of very low hormone levels include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness, dizziness, and weakness. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you experience these symptoms.
Low blood pressure
- Risk factors: Age 65 years or older | Taking other medications that lower blood pressure or slow your body down | Dehydration
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) can cause extremely low blood pressure. This includes a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand from a sitting or lying down position. This can lead to dizziness or even fainting. To avoid falling, stand up slowly or hold onto something while you get up if you’ve been sitting or lying down. If the dizziness or lightheadedness doesn’t go away, talk to your healthcare provider.
Higher risk of seizures in people with seizure conditions
- Risk factors: History of seizure conditions
Opioids, like Dilaudid (hydromorphone), can cause more frequent seizures to happen in people who’ve had seizures in the past. Opioid medications might also raise the risk of seizure in other situations where seizures can occur. Let your healthcare provider know if you have seizures more often while taking Dilaudid (hydromorphone).
Physical dependence and withdrawal
- Risk factors: Long-term use of Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
If you take Dilaudid (hydromorphone) regularly for a long time, you can become physically dependent on the medication. This means your body starts relying on the medication to function. When you’re physically dependent on Dilaudid (hydromorphone), you might experience withdrawal if you lower your dose or stop taking the medication suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms can include restlessness, muscle pain, runny nose, yawning, sweating, chills, anxiety, uncontrolled pain, and possibly even suicidal thoughts. Don’t lower your dose or stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your healthcare provider. To prevent withdrawal symptoms from happening, you’ll need to follow your provider’s instructions carefully to slowly lower your dose. If you have concerns about taking the medication because of this risk, talk to your healthcare provider about alternative pain medications.
Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
- Risk factors: Age 65 years or older | Taking other medications that make you less alert or slow your body down | Alcohol use
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) can cause extreme sleepiness and lower your ability to think, react, and focus. Taking Dilaudid (hydromorphone) while drinking alcohol or with other medications that make you feel sleepy or relaxed can worsen these side effects. For this reason, it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol or taking these medications while using Dilaudid (hydromorphone). Make sure you know how this medication affects you before driving a car or doing activities that require your concentration. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you feel too sleepy from taking Dilaudid (hydromorphone).
Contains sulfites
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) contains an inactive ingredient that’s a sulfite. It’s possible that this ingredient can cause allergic reactions, including trouble breathing and anaphylaxis (closing of the throat). Let your provider know if you have an allergy to sulfite-containing products so your provider can prescribe a different pain medication for you.
What are the side effects of Hydromorphone Hydrochloride 8mg Tablet)?
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Sweating
- Flushing
- Intense happiness (euphoria)
- Distress
- Dry mouth
- Itchy skin
Other Side Effects
- Slowed breathing
- Weakness
- Headache
- Fainting
- Stomach pain
- Low appetite
- Changes in mood
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Nervousness
- Unusual dreams
- Changes in heartbeat
- Changes in blood pressure
Serious Side Effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Slowed breathing
- Accidentally taking too much (overdose): not responding to sound or touch; slowed breathing; slow heartbeat; extreme sleepiness; pale, blue, cold, or clammy skin
- Opioid withdrawal: restlessness, runny nose, yawning, sweating, chills, irritability, anxiety, suicidal thoughts