Compare Dilaudid vs. methadone
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats moderate to severe pain.
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is a powerful pain reliever that has significant risks for abuse and overdose.
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4.1/ 5 average rating with 51 reviewsforDilaudid
Treats severe pain or drug dependence.
Methadose (methadone) is a cheap and effective treatment for severe chronic pain, but has serious risks for fatal overdose and drug dependence.
Upsides
- Dilaudid (hydromorphone) works better and faster at relieving pain than morphine.
- Available in a cheap generic version.
- Available as a cheap, generic version.
- One of the stronger opioid medicines for treatment of severe pain.
- Can also be used to treat opioid dependence as part of a complete recovery program.
Downsides
- Constipation is a common side effect of Dilaudid (hydromorphone) and may require the use of laxatives or stool softeners.
- Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is fatal when combined with alcohol, muscle relaxants, and other medications that slow breathing.
- Long-term use of opioids will cause physical dependence.
- Methadose (methadone) can cause slowed breathing, coma, and death from overdose, especially if mixed with alcohol, sleeping pills, or muscle relaxants.
- Constipation is a common side effect of Methadose (methadone) and you might need laxatives or stool softeners.
- Not a good option for short-term pain relief.
Used for
- Pain management
- Moderate to severe pain
- Opioid dependence
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release pill
- Liquid
- Suppository
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$70.74
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$15.14
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Reviews
51 reviews so far
78%
saidit'sworth it
65%
saiditworked well
10%
saidit'sa big hassle
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Side effects
The Dilaudid (hydromorphone) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
The Methadose (methadone) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Slowed breathing
- Current use of medicine that affects liver enzyme CYP 3A4
- Age 65 or greater
- Higher doses
- Drinking alcohol
- Use with benzodiazepines
- Death from overdose
- Children age 18 and younger
- Death of newborn babies from opioid withdrawal
- Long-term use during pregnancy
- Tolerance, dependence, and addiction
- Taking more than the prescribed dose
- Long-term use
- History of drug abuse
- Driving impairment
- Taking Dilaudid (hydromorphone) with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Age 65 or greater
- Death from lack of oxygen to the body (respiratory depression)
- Start of treatment
- Age 65 or greater
- Dose changes and higher doses
- Heart problems (arrhythmia)
- History of cardiovascular disease
- Driving impairment
- Taking Methadose (methadone) with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Death from overdose
- Children age 18 and younger
- Taking more than prescribed dose
- Mixing with alcohol or drugs that interact with Methadose (methadone)
- Abuse, tolerance, and addiction
- Taking more than the prescribed dose
- Long-term use
- History of drug abuse or mental illness