Dilaudid: Powerful Pain Relief Medication

 Dilaudid: Understanding Pain Relief with Hydromorphone

Dilaudid is a brand name for hydromorphone, a strong pain relief medicine. It is part of the opioid class of drugs and is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Dilaudid is especially recommended for pain due to cancer when used over a long period. It can be taken by mouth or given by injection into a vein, muscle, or under the skin. The effects usually start within 30 minutes and can last up to five hours.

What is Dilaudid?

Dilaudid, or hydromorphone, is a painkiller made from morphine. It was first made in Germany in 1922 and sold under the name Dilaudid in 1926. Dilaudid affects the brain to reduce the feeling of pain. It is much stronger than morphine, about eight times stronger. Besides Dilaudid, hydromorphone is also known by other names like dihydromorphinone and contin.

The chemical name for Dilaudid is ‘4, 5-α-epoxy-3-hydroxy-17-methyl morphinan-6-one,’ and its molecular formula is ‘C17H19NO3’. The weight of its molecules is 285.3 g/mol. When you take a dose, the effects last for about 2 to 3 hours before they start to wear off. Dilaudid can be taken in different ways, such as orally, rectally, sublingually (under the tongue), through the skin (transdermally), or into the muscle (intramuscularly).

How to Take Dilaudid

Always read the Medication Guide from your pharmacist before you start taking Dilaudid and every time you get a refill. If you have questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take Dilaudid by mouth as directed by your doctor. You can take it with or without food. If you feel nauseous, it may help to take it with food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for tips to reduce nausea, like lying down for a while.

If you are using the liquid form of Dilaudid, measure your dose carefully with a special measuring device. Don’t use a household spoon, as you might not get the correct amount. Be careful not to mix up milligrams (mg) with milliliters (mL) when measuring your dose. If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist or doctor. If your liquid medicine is a suspension, shake the bottle well before each dose.

Dosage and Stopping Dilaudid

The dosage of Dilaudid depends on your medical condition and response to treatment. Don’t increase your dose, take it more often, or use it longer than prescribed. Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to stop the medication properly.

Pain medicines work best if you take them when you first notice pain. If you wait until the pain gets worse, the medication might not work as well. If you have ongoing pain, like from cancer, your doctor may also prescribe long-acting opioids. In this case, Dilaudid might be used for sudden (breakthrough) pain. Other pain relievers, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, may also be used. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about safely using Dilaudid with other medicines.

Risks of Dilaudid

Stopping Dilaudid suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms, especially if you have used it for a long time or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Withdrawal symptoms can include restlessness, mood changes, watery eyes, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, muscle aches, or sudden behavior changes.

Using Dilaudid for a long time may make it less effective. Talk to your doctor if it stops working well. Dilaudid can sometimes cause addiction, especially if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Take it exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Important Warnings

Dilaudid is a strong pain medicine for moderate to severe pain when other treatments don’t work well or can’t be tolerated. It can lead to overdose and death, even if you take it correctly. It’s not for occasional pain. Dilaudid is also used to manage drug addiction.

Tell your doctor if your pain does not improve or if it gets worse while using Dilaudid.