Dilaudid
(hydromorphone)
●●●●●
4.1/ 5 average rating with 51 reviewsforDilaudid
Skip to: drug prices sectionSkip to: what to expect sectionSkip to: side effects sectionSkip to: risks and warnings sectionSkip to: common concerns from users and pharmacists
Treats moderate to severe pain.
Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.
Download Fact SheetDownload Fact Sheet
Prescription opioids are used to treat several kinds of pain - but they carry significant risks, including addiction. Learn more about these drugs and be sure to discuss the risks with your doctor.
Our bottom line
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is a powerful pain reliever that has significant risks for abuse and overdose.
Quick facts about Dilaudid
- Drug class: Pain
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (hydromorphone)
Upsides
- Dilaudid (hydromorphone) works better and faster at relieving pain than morphine.
- Available in a cheap generic version.
Get the newsletter!
Sign up and get Pill Talk, the latest in health & medicine news from Iodine
Get our free fact sheet
What to expect from Dilaudid, on one page
Download Fact Sheet
51Downsides
- 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.
Get the newsletter!
Sign up and get Pill Talk, the latest in health & medicine news from Iodine
Get our free fact sheet
What to expect from Dilaudid, on one page
Download Fact SheetHow it works
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is an opioid, which acts on the brain to lower your perception of pain.
Quick facts about Dilaudid
- Drug class: Pain
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (hydromorphone)
Used for
- Pain management
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release pill
- Liquid
- Suppository
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.Prices and coupons for 30 (8mg) tablets of hydromorphone near
- Get free coupon
$89.45 - CostcoGet free coupon$100.10
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
See more prices and coupons in your areaWhat to expect when you take Dilaudid (hydromorphone) for Pain management
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Full effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Slowed breathing
Side effect rates for Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
Risks and Warnings for Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Current use of medicine that affects liver enzyme CYP 3A4
- › Age 65 or greater
- › Higher doses
- › Drinking alcohol
- › Use with benzodiazepines
Taking too much Dilaudid (hydromorphone) can slow down your breathing, which can be fatal. You are at greater risk if you take alcohol, other opioid drugs, or muscle relaxants with Dilaudid (hydromorphone). If you start to feel like you can't breathe or your lips and fingers are turning blue, call 911 immediately.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect
Common concerns from people taking Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Alcohol
- Avoid combining with alcohol or muscle relaxants. This combination can be deadly.
Kidneys and liver
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed hydromorphoneon 2/6/2018took to pass kidney stones. I have an extremely high tolerance for pain and for drugs having effects. I would normally have to take 2 Norco's and still not have as good of a pain relief as one Dilaudid. Your body does feel warm after about 10 mins. of taking, and pain relief is close to 15 mins for myself.34ManJust as neededWould rather not say
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Dilaudidon 8/19/2016If you have Kidney Stones or anything that causes severe pain, Dilaudid is like a miracle drip! Instant relief! It did not help as much for kidney stones AND kidney infection together. I have only had Dilaudid via IV drip.50WomanOpioid-tolerant pain (severe)
Pain
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Dilaudidon 9/24/2017Excellent pain relief post abdominal surgery! Will make you drowsy though.40WomanLess than a weekPain (moderate to severe)
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Dilaudidon 9/14/2017Stay hydrated. This medication was a Godsend. I left Oxycodone for an equivalent dosage - and my pain, break through pain stopped. I recommend it... but you may sweat heavily from time to time. Took time for me to get used to.55Two years or morePain (moderate to severe)
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Dilaudidon 9/11/2017I went through all the other pain remedies and Dilaudid seems to work the best. It works better some days than others. Without it, the pain from cervical, thoracic and lumbar injuries would be to much to bear57WomanJust as neededOpioid-tolerant pain (severe)
Sleep
- Worth itSome hassleReviewed Dilaudidon 1/10/2017Dilaudids make me tired but most times unable to sleep. So that can get aggravating. But the side effects are much less than that of percocet, so I will take the little aggravation any day over itching, nodding off,druggy, dizzy, nauseous, and other side effects I use to get on percocet.30WomanPain (moderate to severe)