Hydromorphone

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Category:

Analgesic

Description:

Semisynthetic opiate agonist analgesic

Indications:

Moderate to severe pain
Cough suppressant

Contraindications:

Patients with impaired respiratory function.

Precautions:

Pregnancy Category C
Patients will experience CNS effects of drowsiness and dizziness, therefore use caution with motor vehicle operation or other hazardous tasks.
Avoid prolonged, sustained usage to decrease addiction potential.
Use with caution with other CNS depressive medications.
Like any narcotic, may be addictive when used for prolonged periods of time (weeks to months).
Pregnancy Category

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

Sedation
Dizziness

Dosage:

Administered in smallest effective dose and as infrequently as possible

Administered orally, rectally, SQ, IM or slow IV push

Adult:

Normal: 2mg q4-6h as needed
Severe pain/terminally-ill: 4mg (oral), 2mg (IM) or 3-4mg (IV) q3-6h as needed or tolerated
Rectally: 3mg q6-8h as needed

Cough suppressant:

Adults and children greater than 12 years old 1mg (oral) q3-4h
Children 6-12 years old: 0.5 mg (oral) q3-4h

The information contained here is an abbreviated summary. For more detailed and complete information, consult the manufacturer's product information sheets or standard textbooks.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300