Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) Uses

Hydromorphone is used to treat moderate to severe pain that cannot be controlled with non-opioid pain medication. 

The extended-release (long-acting) tablets are used to treat pain that is severe enough to require around-the-clock pain relief. The ER tablets should not be used to treat mild to moderate pain, short-term pain, or acute pain after surgical, medical, or dental procedures that can be controlled by taking painkillers as needed. Also, the extended-release tablets can only be given to opioid-tolerant patients (people who have already taken opioid pain medicines for at least one week). 

There may be other uses of hydromorphone. Your healthcare professionals or pharmacist can give you further hydromorphone drug information.

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) Mechanism of Action

Hydromorphone binds to opioid receptors in the brain. The medication affects how the central nervous system (CNS) responds to pain signals.

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) Doses

Hydromorphone tablets are available in strengths of 2 mg, 4 mg, and 8 mg. The extended-release tablets come in strengths of 8 mg, 12 mg, 16 mg, and 32 mg. Hydromorphone liquid is 1 mg/mL. A hydromorphone injection is also available for use in healthcare settings.

The lowest effective dosage of hydromorphone is prescribed for the shortest time possible to relieve pain. Your doctor will decide how much medication you need based on the severity of your pain, your response, and your previous experience with opioid analgesics, as well as your risk for misuse, abuse, physical dependence, and addiction. You will need to be carefully monitored for respiratory depression (slowed breathing) in the first 24 to 72 hours after starting treatment and after the dose increases.