What is hydromorphone injection?
Hydromorphone is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers. It is similar to morphine.
Hydromorphone injection is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Hydromorphone injection may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about hydromorphone injection?
Hydromorphone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Hydromorphone injection should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.
Do not drink alcohol while you are receiving hydromorhphone. 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.
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 hydmorphone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.
You should not receive hydromorphone injection 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.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving hydromorphone injection?
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 use hydromorphone injection if you are having an asthma attack.
Hydromorphone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Hydromorphone should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.
Before receiving hydromorphone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
liver or kidney disease;
underactive thyroid;
curvature of the spine;
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
low blood pressure;
gallbladder disease;
Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
enlarged prostate, urination problems;
mental illness; or
a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
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 hydromorphone injection unless you are already being treated with a similar opioid pain medicine and your body is tolerant to it. Opioid medicines include fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic), methadone (Methadose, Dolophine), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph, and others), oxycodone (Oxycontin), oxymorphone (Opana), and any other forms of hydromorphone. 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.