Hydromorphone oral tablet is a prescription drug that’s available as the brand-name drug Dilaudid (immediate release). These tablets are also available as generic drugs. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name versions.
Hydromorphone also comes in the following forms:
The injectable solutions are only given by a healthcare provider.
Hydromorphone oral tablet is a controlled substance. This means this drug has a risk of misuse and may cause dependence.
Hydromorphone oral tablet is used to treat severe pain that isn’t controlled by other treatments. The extended-release tablet is used for people who need daily, around-the-clock pain treatment.
This drug may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.
Hydromorphone oral tablet belongs to a class of drugs called opioid analgesics. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
It isn’t known exactly how this drug works to ease pain. It may reduce pain by acting on certain opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which make up your central nervous system.
Hydromorphone oral tablet can cause drowsiness and dizziness. These effects may be more likely in the first few hours after you take it. This drug can also cause other side effects.
Hydromorphone can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking hydromorphone. This list doesn’t include all possible side effects.
For more information on the possible side effects of hydromorphone or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The more common side effects of this drug can include:
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
The hydromorphone dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the dosage that’s right for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to suit your needs.
Generic: Hydromorphone HCL
Brand: Dilaudid
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
People considered opioid tolerant are those who are receiving, for 1 week or longer, at least:
Your doctor will tell you what dosage of hydromorphone you should take. They may increase your dosage by 4–8 mg every 3–4 days if needed.
Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)
This medication has not been studied in children. It should not be used in people younger than 18 years.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.
Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.
People with kidney disease: Your doctor may start you at a dose that is 25 percent to 50 percent lower than the typical starting dose.
People with liver disease: Your doctor may start you at a dose that is 25 percent to 50 percent lower than the typical starting dose. If you have severe liver problems, your doctor may use another drug for pain relief instead of the extended-release tablet, or they may give you a lower dosage of another form of this drug.
Hydromorphone oral tablet is generally used for short-term treatment. This drug comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.
If you stop taking the drug suddenly or don’t take it at all: Your pain likely won’t get better.
If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. For this drug to work well, a certain amount needs to be in your body at all times.
If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:
If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or seek guidance from the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or through their online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. If you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects.
How to tell if the drug is working: Your pain may be better controlled.
This drug comes with various warnings.
This drug may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. This may cause lightheadedness, dizziness, and even fainting.
Your risk may be higher if you have a low blood volume and have trouble keeping a normal blood pressure. Your risk may also be higher if you take certain medications. These include drugs called phenothiazines or general anesthetics.
This drug can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).
Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of side effects from this drug. These can include breathing problems, low blood pressure, extreme drowsiness, and coma. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor.
For people with head injury and increased head pressure: This drug can increase intracranial pressure (blood pressure in your brain). This can make your condition worse. Ask your doctor if this drug is safe for you.
For people with liver problems: If you have liver problems or a history of liver disease, you may not be able to process this drug well. This may increase the levels of the drug in your body and cause more side effects. If you have severe liver problems, your doctor may give you a lower dosage.
For people with kidney problems: If you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease, you may not be able to clear this drug from your body well. This may increase the levels of it in your body and cause more side effects.
For pregnant women: Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the pregnancy. If a woman takes this drug for a long time during pregnancy, it can lead to opioid withdrawal syndrome in a newborn. This can be life threatening for the baby. Call your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this drug.
For women who are breastfeeding: This drug may pass into breast milk and cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.
For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.
For children: This medication has not been studied in children. It should not be used in people younger than 18 years. If a child accidentally swallows this drug, it can lead to overdose. This can be fatal (cause death).
Hydromorphone oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.
To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with hydromorphone are listed below.
Increased side effects of hydromorphone: Taking hydromorphone with certain medications raises your risk of side effects. Examples of these drugs include:
Increased side effects from other drugs: Taking hydromorphone with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from those drugs. Examples of these drugs include:
When you take hydromorphone with certain drugs, it may not work as well to treat your condition. This is because the amount of hydromorphone in your body may be decreased. Examples of these drugs include:
Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes hydromorphone oral tablet for you.
A prescription for this medication isn’t refillable. You or your pharmacy will have to contact your doctor for a new prescription if you need to refill this medication.
When traveling with your medication:
Your doctor may monitor certain health issues during your treatment. This can help make sure you stay safe while you take this drug. These issues include:
Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. That means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription.
There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
Last medically reviewed on October 7, 2020
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