How To Use Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Take the immediate-release hydromorphone tablet every 4-6 hours and the liquid solution every 3-6 hours as needed or on schedule. The extended-release tablets should be taken once a day. You can take the medicine with or without food. 

Do not crush, chew, cut, or dissolve the extended-release tablets. Do not let liquid hydromorphone come in contact with your skin or clothes. If this happens, wash your skin with cool water and remove any exposed clothing.

Read the prescription label and patient information carefully and take hydromorphone exactly as instructed. Narcotic medications can be habit-forming. Do not change the dose, dosing frequency, or treatment duration without your provider’s approval. Ask your doctor if you don’t understand the dosing instructions. 

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of hydromorphone and increase the dose every 3-4 days if needed. Tell your doctor if you experience side effects or your pain is not controlled. Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your response. 

Do not stop taking hydromorphone suddenly without talking to your doctor first. Stopping this medicine abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, yawning, watery eyes, runny nose, chills, sweating, goosebumps, muscle aches, joint pain, muscle weakness, back pain, anxiety, irritability, sleep problems, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, loss of appetite, fast heartbeat, and fast breathing. Your doctor will tell you how to reduce your hydromorphone dose slowly.

Missed dose: If you are taking hydromorphone on a regular schedule and forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose or extra medicine to make up for a missed or forgotten dose.

Storage: Store hydromorphone at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Do not store medications in the bathroom, where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused or expired hydromorphone should be disposed of in a way that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw hydromorphone in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded hydromorphone is through your local waste disposal company or a medicine take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal. 

NOTE: This medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on hydromorphone. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about hydromorphone, talk to your healthcare professionals for medical advice.

Discounted prices for hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
 start at $6.07.

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