Uses

Indicated for the management of severe pain requiring opioid analgesia when alternative treatments are inadequate. Reserved for pain serious enough to necessitate long-term daily opioid treatment and where non-opioid options have failed.

Do not use if

Contraindicated in significant respiratory depression, acute or severe bronchial asthma without resuscitative equipment, known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, and hypersensitivity to hydromorphone.

Side effects

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, somnolence, dizziness, and pruritus. Serious adverse effects include life-threatening respiratory depression, hypotension, and physical dependence. Adrenal insufficiency and androgen deficiency may occur with prolonged use.

Warnings

Carries serious risk of addiction, abuse, and misuse. Life-threatening respiratory depression is the greatest risk and can occur even at recommended doses. Exercise extreme caution when combining with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants. Not for use in opioid-naive patients without careful titration.

How it works

Hydromorphone is a full mu-opioid receptor agonist with potent analgesic activity approximately 5–10 times more potent than morphine. It acts on opioid receptors in the CNS and peripheral tissues to produce analgesia, euphoria, respiratory depression, and decreased gastrointestinal motility.

Storage

Store at controlled room temperature 20–25°C (68–77°F). Protect from light. Store securely to prevent theft or misuse; dispose of unused product appropriately.