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- $Unique_ID{BRK03186}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{hydromorphone}
- $Subject{Dilaudid Knoll hydrochloride Analgesic hydromorphone narcotic
- analgesic central nervous system brain spinal cord pain}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- hydromorphone
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Dilaudid (Knoll)
- hydromorphone hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Analgesic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- hydromorphone
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Tablets (1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg)
- Suppositories (3 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Hydromorphone tablets should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
- closed, light-resistant container. The suppositories should be stored in the
- refrigerator.
-
- USES
-
- Hydromorphone is a narcotic analgesic that acts directly on the central
- nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is used to relieve moderate to
- severe pain.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take hydromorphone tablets with
- food or milk.
- To use the suppository, remove the foil wrapper and moisten the
- suppository with water (if the suppository is too soft to insert, refrigerate
- it for half an hour or run cold water over it before removing the wrapper).
- Lie on your left side with your right knee bent. Push the suppository into
- the rectum, pointed end first. Lie still for a few minutes. Try to avoid
- having a bowel movement for at least an hour.
- Hydromorphone works best if you take it at the onset of pain, rather than
- when the pain becomes intense.
- If you are taking this medication on a regular schedule and you miss a
- dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for
- your next dose. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return
- to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, false sense of
- well-being, flushing, light-headedness, loss of appetite, nausea, or sweating.
- These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication.
- If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
- reduce mouth dryness.
- If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
- from a sitting or lying position slowly, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- anxiety, confusion, continued constipation, difficult or painful urination,
- difficulty in breathing, excitability, fatigue, rash, restlessness, sore
- throat and fever, tremors, or weakness.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Hydromorphone interacts with several other types of drugs:
- 1. Concurrent use of it with other central nervous system depressants
- (such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers,
- muscle relaxants, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with tricyclic
- antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
- 2. A monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor taken within 14 days of this
- medication can lead to unpredictable and severe side effects.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to hydromorphone or to any other narcotic
- analgesics (such as codeine, hydrocodone, meperidine, methadone, morphine,
- oxycodone, and propoxyphene).
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had acute
- abdominal conditions, asthma, brain disease, colitis, epilepsy, gallstones or
- gallbladder disease, head injuries, heart disease, kidney disease, liver
- disease, lung disease, mental illness, emotional disorders, prostate disease,
- thyroid disease, or urethral stricture.
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
- potentially dangerous machinery.
- * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
- to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
- * Hydromorphone has the potential for abuse and must be used with
- caution. Usually, you should not take it on a regular schedule for longer
- than ten days (unless your doctor directs you to do so). Tolerance develops
- quickly; do not increase the dosage or stop taking the drug abruptly, unless
- you first consult your doctor. If you have been taking large amounts of this
- medication for long periods, you may experience a withdrawal reaction (muscle
- aches, diarrhea, gooseflesh, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, shivering,
- trembling, stomach cramps, sleep disorders, irritability, weakness, excessive
- yawning, or sweating). Your doctor may, therefore, want to reduce the dosage
- gradually.
- * The elderly may be more sensitive to side effects, especially
- constipation, mental effects, or breathing problems. Report any such effects
- to your doctor.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. The effects of this
- medication during the early stages of pregnancy have not been thoroughly
- studied in humans. However, hydromorphone used regularly in large doses
- during the later stages of pregnancy can result in addiction of the fetus,
- leading to withdrawal symptoms (irritability, excessive crying, tremors,
- fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing, or excessive yawning) at birth. Also, be
- sure to tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts
- of this medication may pass into breast milk and cause excessive drowsiness in
- the nursing infant.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-