Hydromorphone
Brand: Dilaudid
Boxed warning · ISMP high-alert drug
Addiction, abuse, and misuse; life-threatening respiratory depression; profound sedation and death with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants; neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome with prolonged use in pregnancy.
- Caution
- High-potency opioid: the 10 mg/mL high-potency injection is for opioid-tolerant patients only and has caused fatal mix-ups with the 1 mg/mL strength.
- Pregnancy
- Prolonged use in pregnancy causes neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (boxed).
Common side effects
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Slowed breathing
Key interactions
- Dangerous sedation with benzodiazepines
- Alcohol increases sedation and overdose risk
- Adds to other sedating drugs
Counseling points
- Do not drink alcohol
- May be habit-forming
- Use stool softener for constipation
- Do not drive until you know its effect
- Store securely away from others
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