Dilaudid (injection)

Hydromorphone (injection) is an opioid medicine used to relieve severe pain.

Hydromorphone (injection) may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

MISUSE OF OPIOID MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Using opioid medicine during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

Fatal side effects may occur if you also drink alcohol or use other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow breathing.

You should not use hydromorphone if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine, or if you have:

• severe asthma or breathing problems; or
• a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.

Do not use hydromorphone if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before you take hydromorphone.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• breathing problems, sleep apnea;
• a head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;
• low blood pressure;
• alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness;
• urination problems;
• a sulfite allergy;
• a pancreas disorder;
• Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders; or
• liver or kidney disease.

May harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you use hydromorphone for an extended period of time during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms and may need medical treatment for several weeks.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Hydromorphone in breast milk can cause life-threatening side effects in a nursing baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, trouble breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue-colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Dilaudid may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• breathing that stops during sleep;
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop);
• confusion, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
• severe weakness or drowsiness;
• worsening pain, increased sensitivity to pain;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might faint; or
• low cortisol levels—nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.

Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults and those who are malnourished or weakened.

Common side effects of Dilaudid may include:

• constipation, nausea, vomiting;
• dizziness, drowsiness;
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling feeling);
• sweating, itching;
• dry mouth; or
• mood changes.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Hydromorphone is injected into a muscle, under the skin, or into a vein.

Hydromorphone is usually given by injection only if you are unable to take medicine by mouth.

Never share opioid medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Do not stop using hydromorphone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, tingling or electric shock feelings). Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

In a medical setting, you are unlikely to miss a dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or a person using opioid medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, or no breathing.

In a medical setting, an overdose would be treated quickly.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Many other drugs can be dangerous when used with opioid medicine. Tell your doctor if you also use:

• medicine for allergies, asthma, blood pressure, motion sickness, irritable bowel, or overactive bladder;
• other opioid medicines;
• a benzodiazepine sedative like Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax;
• sleep medicine, muscle relaxers, or other drugs that make you drowsy; or
• drugs that affect serotonin, such as antidepressants, stimulants, or medicine for migraines or Parkinson's disease.

This list is not complete. Many drugs may affect hydromorphone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

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