How to use Dilaudid

• Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking hydromorphone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. You may take this drug with or without food. If you have nausea, it may help to take this drug with food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to decrease nausea (such as lying down for 1 to 2 hours with as little head movement as possible).
• If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Do not confuse the dose of hydromorphone liquid in milligrams (mg) with the dose in milliliters (mL). Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure how to check or measure the dose. If your liquid is a suspension, shake the bottle well before each dose.
• The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose, take the medication more frequently, or take it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.
• Pain medications work best if they are used when the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well.
• Suddenly stopping this medication may cause withdrawal, especially if you have used it for a long time or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have any withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, mental/mood changes (including anxiety, trouble sleeping, thoughts of suicide), watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, muscle aches, or sudden changes in behavior.

  Tell your doctor if your pain does not get better or if it gets worse.

Dosage and Administration

Dilaudid is available in a variety of forms, including oral tablets, oral solutions, and injectables. The dosage varies according on the patient’s pain level, previous opioid use, and individual response. An overdose might result in severe respiratory depression and death, hence it is critical to strictly adhere to a physician’s prescription.

Side Effects

While Dilaudid can be effective in pain relief, it also carries the risk of side effects, which may include:

⦁ Drowsiness or sedation
⦁ Dizziness or lightheadedness
⦁ Nausea and vomiting
⦁ Constipation
⦁ Dry mouth
⦁ Sweating

Serious side effects include:

⦁ Respiratory depression
⦁ Hypotension (low blood pressure)
⦁ Addiction, abuse, or misuse
⦁ Severe allergic reactions

Withdrawal and Dependence

Suddenly discontinuing Dilaudid after prolonged use can trigger withdrawal symptoms, which may include:

⦁ Anxiety
⦁ Insomnia
⦁ Muscle aches
⦁ Sweating
⦁ Nausea and vomiting
⦁ Cravings for the drug

For patients needing to stop Dilaudid, a tapering schedule supervised by a healthcare provider is often recommended to minimize withdrawal symptoms.