Dilaudid (Hydromorphone)
Hydromorphone– Half Life: 2-3 hours; Schedule II Drug
Dilaudid (Hydromorphone), a more common synonym for dihydromorphone hydrochloride– is a potent pain killer that acts on the central nervous system. Hydromorphone is in a group of drugs called narcotic pain relievers, also called opioids. It is similar to Morphine. Hydromorphone is used to treat moderate to severe pain as well as act as a second- or third-line narcotic antitussive (cough suppressant) for cases of dry and painful coughing resulting from an upper respiratory infection. There are other weaker narcotics that can do the same thing, so the use of hydromorphone is amongst severe cases of coughing.
Hydromorphone is becoming more popular in treating chronic pain in many countries, and is used as a substitute for morphine. For some people, Hydromorphone is preferred over Morphine in many cases ranging from emergency room visits to pain management of chronic pain syndromes. Hydromorphone is a very quick pain killer that can be taken either by pill, liquid, suppository or intravenous/injection.
Hydromorphone is faster-acting and about eight times stronger than morphine and about three times stronger than heroin on a milligramme basis. The normal human range ‘morphine to hydromorphone’ conversion ratio can vary from patient to patient by a significant amount, but the average seems to be from 8:1 to a little under 4:1.
Like all opioids, Hydromorphone is potentially habit-forming and is listed as a Schedule II narcotic of the United States’ Controlled Substances Act. Do not stop Hydromorphone without contacting your doctor first. If you develop a tolerance to the drug, it may not be easy to get off of the drug without a doctor tapering you off of the drug.
Side effects of Hydromorphone cannot be anticipated, but if any develop or change in intensity, be sure to inform your doctor as soon as possible. Side effects are as followed:
Anxiety; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; euphoria; fear; mental and physical impairment; urinary retention; mental clouding; sudden mood changes; nausea; restlessness; sedation; sluggishness; breathing problems; vomiting
Hydromorphone works well on people who need it, but it is also psychologically and physically addictive. Talk to your doctor if you feel that you are becoming addicted to the medication. Withdrawal symptoms can occur four to five hours after the last dose, and can last between 7 to 10 days. Users who might be experiencing withdrawal from the Hydromorphone may not realize that the pain is from the withdrawal, so they mask it by taking another dosage. Withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:
Severe anxiety; insomnia; muscle spasms; chills; excessive sweating; shivering; tremors; cold sweats; restlessness; excessive yawning; gooseflesh; restless sleep; irritability; weakness; twitching of muscles; kicking movements; severe backache; abdominal and leg pain; abdominal and muscle cramps; hot and cold flashes; nausea; vomiting; intestinal spasms; severe diarrhea; repetitive sneezing; fever; high blood pressure, respiratory rate, and heart rate
