should be used only by the
person it was prescribed for. Hydromorphone should never be given to another
person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in
a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking hydromorphone. Dangerous side effects or
death can occur when alcohol is combined with a narcotic pain medicine. Check your food and
medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol.
Never take more than your prescribed dose of hydromorphone. Tell your doctor if
the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Hydromorphone can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions.
Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not stop using hydromorphone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant
withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when
stopping the medication.
What is hydromorphone?
Hydromorphone is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers, also called opioids.
It is similar to morphine.
Hydromorphone is used to treat moderate to severe pain. The extended-release form of
this medication is for around-the-clock treatment of pain.
Hydromorphone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using hydromorphone?
Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic
medicine (examples include codeine, methadone, morphine, Oxycontin, Darvocet, Percocet,
Vicodin, Lortab, and many others). You should also not take hydromorphone if you are having
an asthma attack or if you have a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.
Hydromorphone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the
person it was prescribed for. Hydromorphone should never be given to another
person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in
a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Before using hydromorphone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you
have:
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to
an unborn baby, and could cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your
doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Hydromorphone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use
this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
You should not use an extended-release form of hydromorphone (such as Palladone)
unless you are already being treated with a similar opioid pain medicine and your body is tolerant
to it. Talk with your doctor if you are not sure you are opioid-tolerant.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine.
Print
Email
Save
FDA Alerts
Media Gallery
Medicare's drug plans are subsidized by the US federal government and offered through insurers.
