Hydromorphone Oral, Immediate Release

Brand Names: Dilaudid

What is this medicine?

Hydromorphone (hi-droe-MOR-fone) is an opioid pain reliever. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain. 

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Addison's disease
• Brain tumor or head injury
• Personal or family history of drug abuse or addiction
• Heart disease
• Frequent alcohol use
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Lung disease, asthma, or breathing problems
• Depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric disease
• Allergy or unusual reaction to hydromorphone or other pain relievers
• Pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding

How should I use this medicine?

• Take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor, and follow the directions on the prescription label. 
• Do not take this medicine more often than directed.
• This medicine should be taken with a full glass of water. 
• If it upsets your stomach, you may take it with food. You do not have to take this medicine with food.
• Do not crush, cut, chew, lick, wet, soak, or otherwise manipulate a tablet before taking. 
• Do not share this medicine with others. This medicine is only for you. 
• The pharmacy will give you a special medication guide each time you pick up this medicine. 
• Overdosage: Taking too much of this medicine can be deadly. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine with this medicine to treat an accidental overdose. If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call 911 immediately. 

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, you may take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

• Alcohol
• Medicines for sleep, depression, anxiety, or psychiatric diseases
• Seizure medicines like gabapentin, pregabalin, phenytoin, or phenobarbital
• Other pain medicines like tramadol, hydrocodone, fentanyl, or oxycodone
• Muscle relaxers
• Certain nausea medicines like chlorpromazine or promethazine
• Cannabinoids like droperidol
• Certain antibiotics like erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampin, ritonavir, voriconazole, or ketoconazole
• Allergy medicines like diphenhydramine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

• Before you start taking this medicine, talk with your doctor about how long you should be on this medicine. You should also talk to your doctor about other things you can do to treat pain, including other medicines or non-drug treatments like meditation or acupuncture. While taking this medicine, tell your doctor if your pain does not go away or gets worse or if you have a new or different type of pain. 
• It is possible you could become dependent on this medicine. The risk of dependence increases the longer you are on the medicine. Dependence is not addiction; however, if you have a personal or family history of addiction, you are at higher risk for becoming addicted to this medicine. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about dependence or addiction. 
• If you take this medicine for a long time and suddenly stop taking this medicine, you may withdraw from this medicine. Withdrawal from this medicine may cause sweating, pain, diarrhea, anxiety, tremor, and other symptoms. Stopping the medicine slowly can reduce withdrawal symptoms. 
• This medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness, especially when you change doses or first start the medicine. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything dangerous until you know how your body reacts to this medicine. 
• This medicine causes constipation. Unless your doctor tells you not to, you should take a stool softener while on this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have not had a bowel movement in 3 or more days while on this medicine.
• This medicine can also cause dry mouth. Drinking water, chewing gum, or sucking on hard candy can help. It is important to keep regular dentist appointments. 

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• confusion
• craving for the medicine or withdrawal symptoms with a missed dose
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation
• dry mouth
• itching
• nausea, vomiting
• upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This medicine should be kept in a locked cabinet away from children and protected from theft. This medicine can be abused. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law. Store at room temperature (60-80°F) in a dry place that is protected from light. 

Do not save unused medicine that is no longer needed. Unused medicine should be taken to a proper disposal location. To find a disposal location, visit myoldmeds.com/state/Kentucky. 

If you cannot take unused medicine to a proper location, you can mix the medicine with coffee grounds or kitty litter and dispose of in the normal trash. Your doctor may also give you a special disposal pouch for this medicine. You can also flush the medicine down the toilet.