Hydromorphone is a type of opioid analgesic that works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain. It is available as an immediate-release tablet, liquid or injection.
It is used to relieve moderate to severe pain in adults. It should be used only under medical supervision.
Dosage
Hydromorphine is a pain medicine that works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
The dose of hydromorphine will vary for each person depending on the medical problem for which it is prescribed. It is usually taken every 4 to 6 hours and may be changed as needed.
You should use this medication only as directed by your doctor. Do not double doses or take it more often than prescribed.
Your doctor may prescribe a rescue medication called naloxone to reverse the life-threatening effects of an overdose of hydromorphone. Have naloxone available at home and in your office or place of work to be used immediately if you think you have overdosed.
Patients who have a history of opioid abuse or addiction, alcoholism or mental health problems should be closely monitored during treatment with hydromorphone. These individuals are more likely to overdose and develop drug abuse behaviors.
Overdose
Hydromorphone is an opiate that is used to treat pain. It is available in tablet and liquid form. It is usually used for short-term relief of acute (sudden) pain.
When taken in high doses or for a long time, this drug can cause severe (possibly fatal) breathing problems. To lower the risk, take this medication as directed by your doctor.
This drug can also cause severe (possibly fatal) withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it suddenly or do not take it as prescribed. You should get help right away if you think that you have taken too much of this medication.
Hydromorphone overdose may cause dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, slow heart rate, difficult breathing, cold and clammy skin, seizure, coma, and death. Naloxone can reverse these symptoms if used quickly.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms from hydromorphine can be severe if you’ve used it in high doses or for a long time. These symptoms can be uncomfortable and even dangerous.
When someone takes an opioid drug for a long time, it changes the way their nerve receptors work in the brain. Over time, this changes how their body handles the drug, and they become dependent on it.
If you want to stop using hydromorphine or another opiate, you can use medical detox and an addiction treatment program. This will help you cope with the withdrawal process and prepare for a successful recovery.
During detox, you’ll be monitored three or four times a day to ensure your withdrawal symptoms don’t worsen. Your doctor will also assess your mental health and prescribe medications to address any issues that might be contributing to your addiction.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time when people can use prescription pain medicines, like hydromorphone, to treat moderate to severe pain. It is important to take the smallest effective dose for the shortest amount of time.
Some opioids (including hydromorphone) can increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy, or when a woman uses them in high doses near the expected delivery date. These risks are small.
If a pregnant woman is using an opioid (like hydromorphone) or has a history of drug use, she should talk with her health care provider about ways to avoid drug use during pregnancy. She may get help to stop using drugs, or she can start taking medication-assisted treatment (MAT), such as methadone or buprenorphine.
Studies show that women who take opioids during pregnancy are more likely to have a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression. They also have a higher risk of developing neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Screening for substance use disorders in the antenatal clinic and in early pregnancy should be part of comprehensive obstetric care in partnership with the woman.
