| Drug Index |
| GENERIC NAME : |
| hydromorphone |
| BRAND NAMES : |
| Dilaudid |
| STREET NAMES : |
| Dust, Juice, Dillies, Smack, D and Footballs |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION : |
| Hydromorphone is an opiate (narcotic)
analgesic (painkiller) and antitussive (cough suppressant) that binds to the mu (?) opiate receptor. It is an opioid agonist. It is a hydrogenated ketone of morphine and is considered a central nervous system depressant and slows the action of smooth muscle.. Examples of other opioid agonists include substances such as morphine, fentanyl, codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone.
After oral administration of hydromorphone, peak plasma levels were generally attained within 30 to 60 minutes. Hydromorphone is extensively metabolized via glucuronidation in the liver. 95% is metabolized to hydromorphone-3–glucuronide and small amounts of 6-hydroxy reduction metabolites. Only a small amount of the parent compound hydromorphone is excreted unchanged in the urine.
Hydromorphone is supplied in 2, 4, and 8 mg tablets oral use in liquid for intravenous or intramuscular use 1mg/ml.
analgesic (painkiller) and antitussive (cough suppressant) that binds to the mu (?) opiate receptor. It is an opioid agonist. It is a hydrogenated ketone of morphine and is considered a central nervous system depressant and slows the action of smooth muscle.. Examples of other opioid agonists include substances such as morphine, fentanyl, codeine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone.After oral administration of hydromorphone, peak plasma levels were generally attained within 30 to 60 minutes. Hydromorphone is extensively metabolized via glucuronidation in the liver. 95% is metabolized to hydromorphone-3–glucuronide and small amounts of 6-hydroxy reduction metabolites. Only a small amount of the parent compound hydromorphone is excreted unchanged in the urine. Hydromorphone is supplied in 2, 4, and 8 mg tablets oral use in liquid for intravenous or intramuscular use 1mg/ml. |
| INDICATIONS FOR USE : |
| Hydromorphone is indicated for the management of pain. |
| ABUSE AND ADDICTIVE POTENTIAL : |
relief of pain or achieve a state of euphoria). . When hydromorphone is abused, the individual is seeking the euphoric effect ("high"). Mild signs of withdrawal can occur in some individuals after using hydromorphone for several days consecutively. Addiction to this drug can occur, even if taken as prescribed, when used for several weeks or months consecutively. When taken for treatment of chronic pain for several weeks or months consecutively, tolerance and dependence often occur. Once an individual has become dependent on hydromorphone, a primary driving force to continue using hydrocodone (or substituting other opiate agonists) is to prevent the very unpleasant neurochemical and physical withdrawal syndrome associated with discontinuing this drug. Symptoms usually associated with withdrawal may include:
(Note: the term "going cold turkey" comes from the gooseflesh that occurs during withdrawal that looks like the skin of a plucked turkey) Withdrawal of hydromorphone is best handled by a physician that is skilled at assisting patients with opiate detoxification. Medications are often necessary to help control symptoms of withdrawal. |
| OVERDOSAGE : |
| Acute overdose of hydromorphone can cause respiratory depression, extreme drowsiness or prolonged sleeping, stupor or coma, muscle flaccidity, called/clammy skin, constricted pupils, slow heart rate (bradycardia), irregular heartbeat (palpitations), low blood pressure (hypotension), and death. When hydromorphone is used in combination with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants, these drugs potentiate one another and can greatly enhance the risk for overdose. Because of the dangers associated with overdose, immediate medical attention should be sought. |
| CAUTIONS : |
| Any patient with a history of alcohol or substance dependence has a high risk for developing addiction to hydromorphone. If use of this medication is considered necessary for the management of pain in an alcoholic or addict, the lowest dose of this medication that is sufficient to provide pain relief is warranted. It is also recommended that use of this medication in an addict be discontinued as soon as possible and pain management thereafter managed with non-addictive medications. Respiratory depression is one of the chief hazards from all opioid agonist medications. Caution should be exercised when prescribing this medication to individuals with impaired lung function or low blood pressure. There may be serious problems also with use of this medication an individual with a closed head injury. It can elevate Cerebrospinal fluid pressure and mask symptoms of closed head injury that could require immediate medical measures.The administration of hydromorphone, like all opioid analgesics, may obscure the diagnosis or clinical course in patients with acute abdominal conditions. Physical dependence and tolerance are not unusual during chronic opioid therapy. Because the drug is primarily eliminated from the body through the liver and kidneys, individuals with kidney (renal) or liver (hepatic) impairment must be monitored closely because the concentration of hydromorphone in the bloodstream can be higher than in subjects with normal kidney or liver function. |
| SIDE EFFECTS : |
| Side effects of hydromorphone use may include nausea, constipation, vomiting, headache, and itching (pruritus). Adverse effects may include allergic reaction, irregular heartbeat, migraine, confusion, dry mouth, nervousness, tremor, rash, blurred vision, mental clouding, lethargy, mood changes, urinary retention, anxiety, fear, respiratory depression, and personality changes. |
| FOR MORE INFORMATION : |
| *This is a condensed description of hydromorphone. For more details check with your physician, pharmacist, or resources such as The Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) or http://www.drugs.com. |
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