Hydromorphone

Hydromorphone is a potent semi-synthetic opioid analgesic that is thought to be 6 to 8 times stronger than morphine. Derived from morphine, hydromorphone is used for the relief of moderate to severe pain, and more rarely as a cough suppressant. Hydromorphone is most commonly available in the form of instant-release tablets or time-released capsules.

Hydromorphone was first synthesized in Germany in 1924 and introduced to the mass market in 1926 under the brand name 'Dilaudid'. Presently, the brand name 'Dilaudid' is more widely known than the generic term 'hydromorphone', and quite often 'Dilaudid' is used generically to refer to any form of hydromorphone.

Abusers commonly inject the small, instant-release hydromorphone pills intravenously. The hydromorphone dissolves in water without the need to be heated, making the preparation of pills for injection quite simple. When injected intravenously, hydromorphone provides the user with a euphoric 'rush' that is similar to the rush felt from IV heroin. After the rush, the the high from hydromorphone has a relatively short duration compared to most other opioids.

Brand Names

Dilaudid, Palladone, Hydromorph Contin, Hydrostat, Exalgo, Dilaudid-HP

Street Names

Dillies, hydro, hydromorph, D's

Formulations

  • Dilaudid - tablet, hydromorphone hydrochloride (HCl): 2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg
  • Dilaudid-HP - injection solution, hydromorphone HCl 10 mg/mL
  • Palladone - capsule, hydromorphone HCl extended-release: 12 mg, 16 mg, 24 mg, 32 mg
  • Hydromorph Contin - capsule, hydromorphone HCl extended-release: 3 mg, 6 mg, 9 mg, 12 mg, 18 mg, 24 mg, 30 mg
  • Exalgo - tablet, hydromorphone HCl extended-release: 8 mg, 12 mg, 16 mg

Medical Uses

  • relief of moderate to severe pain
  • relief of severe, painful dry cough

Route of Administration

oral, intramuscular (IM), intravenous (IV), subcutaneous (SC), insufflation (snorting), rectal

Half-life

2-3 h

Medical Dosage

  • pain relief: 1 to 4 mg orally every 3-4 h; 0.5 to 1 mg IV / 2-4 h as needed
  • relief of cough: 1 mg orally every 3-4 h as needed

Legality

  • Hydromorphone is a Schedule II drug in the United States.
  • Hydromorphone is a Schedule I drug in Canada.

Images


References

  • Schumacher MA, Basbaum AI, Way WL, Opioid Analgesics & Antagonists (Chapter 31) in: Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 12e. Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ (Editors). McGraw-Hill / Lange, 2012.
  • Felden L, Walter C, Harder S, Treede RD, Kayser H, Drover D, Geisslinger G, Lötsch J. Comparative clinical effects of hydromorphone and morphine: a meta-analysis. British Journal of Anaesthesia Sep 2011; 107(3):319-28. [PubMed] [PDF]
  • Clinical Practice Guideline for Management of Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain. United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Department of Defense, May 2010. [PDF]
  • Controlled Substances - Alphabetical Order. DEA Office of Diversion Control, May 2013. [PDF]
  • Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Minister of Justice, Canada, Nov 2012. [PDF]

Related Pages

  • Hydromorphone Medication Identification
    A list of imprints on hydromorphone medicines with images and details including dosages, manufacturer, shape, and color.
  • Morphine
    Morphine is a naturally occurring opiate found in the opium poppy. Read about morphine brand names, street names, formulations, medical uses, chemistry, legality, and other information.
  • Effects of Opioids
    An in-depth look at the both the short- and long-term effects of opioids, and the possible long-term effects of injection drug use.
  • Hydrocodone
    Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid used in the treatment of mild to moderate pain, marketed in combination with acetaminophen as Vicodin. Read about hydrocodone brand names, street names, formulations, medical uses, chemistry, legality, and other information.
Call To Find a Methadone Clinic 800-801-8430
Who Answers?
Where do calls go?

Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline (non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed below, each of which is a paid advertiser:

ARK Behavioral Health

By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.