Dilaudid
(hydromorphone)
Treats moderate to severe pain.
Our bottom line
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is a powerful pain reliever that has significant risks for abuse and overdose.
- Price before coupon$301.30
- Lowest price with coupon$71.7476% savings
- 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.
What to expect from Dilaudid, on one page
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.
What to expect from Dilaudid, on one page
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is an opioid, which acts on the brain to lower your perception of pain.
- 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.- Get free coupon$85.60
- Get free coupon$85.60
What 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
It can take time for a drug to start working, or for some side effects to go away.
Source: FDA product label and Iodine pharmacistsSide effect rates for Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
Manufacturers don’t say how common these side effects are when taking Dilaudid for pain management
- Slowed breathing
- Lighteadedness
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Flushing of the face
- Euphoria
- Dry mouth
- Itchy skin
- Fast heart rate
- Slow heart rate
- Blurry vision
- Double vision
- Vision problems
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Feeling abnormal
- Chills
- Decreased appetite
- Muscle rigidity
- Weakness
- Headache
- Burning/prickling sensation
- Nervousness
- Agitation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation
- Difficulty sleeping
- Abnormal dreams
- Rash
- High blood pressure
- Low blood pressure
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.
Common concerns from people taking Dilaudid (hydromorphone)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?- Avoid combining with alcohol or muscle relaxants. This combination can be deadly.
- 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)
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Dilaudidon 8/3/2017I found using dilaudid works best for soft tissue and general body pain. Tramadol (ultram) worked better for ortho pain like in orthopedic surgery or osteoarthritis. I take 4 mg of dilaudid and 50 mg of Tramadol at the same time. I also take one tab of acetaminophen- extra strength (Tylenol w/ caffeine and asprin)`it will last me a solid 6 hours.59Two years or morePain (moderate to severe)
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Dilaudidon 1/17/2020For extreme and severe pain Dilaudid is the very best. The diamond of pain relief medication. I felt like I was dying from pain due to gallstones. I was hospitalized for a week and given a dose of it via syringe into my IV on the hour every hour and no pain at all. I slept like a baby most of the time. Only recommend it for severe and extreme pain and under a doctor's care.35ManLess than a weekPain management
- 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 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)