Dilaudid Facts and Information

Definition: Dilaudid

Dilaudid or hydromorphone is a common narcotic/pain medication. Dilaudid is commonly used to treat severe and moderate pain.

Quick Dilaudid facts/information

It is important to note that Dilaudid can be an addictive, habit-forming drug thus it should be used only as a prescription drug. Dilaudid should also be kept in a safe place out of the reach of children. When taking Dilaudid, patients should avoid drinking alcohol. This is because Dilaudid has very severe side effects when mixed with alcohol. In most cases, it can even cause death. Patients must therefore ensure that they check all food and drink labels thoroughly to ensure that any products they take don't contain any alcohol.

Dilaudid dosage should be prescribed by a doctor. Patients must inform their doctor/s in case they develop a resistance towards the drug instead of altering their dosages. It is important for patients to be aware about all Dilaudid side effects to be able to cope with the drug better. For instance, Dilaudid can impair thinking. It is therefore advisable to avoid operating machinery i.e. driving while you are under medication because Dilaudid affects the brain and cognitive functions. Also, patients are advised against suddenly stopping Dilaudid use after prolonged use because this can result in very unpleasant and serious withdrawal symptoms.

Considerations before using Dilaudid

Like many other drugs, Dilaudid use should be encouraged only after one is proven to cope well with narcotic medicines. For instance, individuals who develop allergies after using narcotic medicines such as; morphine, Lortab, Methadone, Codeine, Vicodin e.t.c should avoid Dilaudid. Also, individuals who have asthma or paralytic ileus should avoid Dilaudid. Also, patients who have used inhibitors i.e. MAO for the past two weeks should not use Dilaudid. Such inhibitors include; furazolidone, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, Emsam or tranylcypromine. Using Dilaudid alongside the above inhibitors can lead to very serious side effects.

To ensure that Dilaudid is safe for you, you must inform your doctor about all possible medical conditions you have or may have been diagnosed with in the past. Such conditions include; sleep apnea, asthma, sulfite allergy, liver disease, kidney disease, underactive thyroid, epilepsy, low blood pressure, pancreatitis, gall bladder disease, urinary tract infections, drug addiction e.t.c. Also, if you have used sedatives, alcohol or tranquilizers recently, your doctor should know. It is also important to note that Dilaudid is a habit forming drug thus it should only be prescribed by a doctor. Dilaudid should never be shared especially with persons with drug addiction or abuse history.

Dilaudid is also unsuitable for pregnant mothers. Although studies have not yet established the exact effects the drug has on an unborn baby, it is always advisable to avoid narcotic medication during pregnancy to avoid risks of addiction or withdrawal symptoms in newborns. Drugs such as Hydromorphone are known to be present in breast milk therefore Dilaudid should be avoided by pregnant mothers.

Dilaudid administration

As mentioned above, Dilaudid should be taken as a prescription drug i.e. the exact way it has been prescribed by a doctor. In case you develop resistance, you should inform your doctor immediately as opposed to increasing your dosage. Also, Dilaudid dosage especially in liquid medicines should be measured using a special dose spoon or cup as opposed to measuring your dosage using a regular table spoon.

You should also avoid stopping Dilaudid use suddenly to avoid withdrawal symptoms. In case your doctor recommends that you should stop using Dilaudid, they should also offer a moderate dosage plan that stops Dilaudid usage gradually. As mentioned above, Dilaudid can be addictive; patients are therefore advised to store their medicine safely to avoid abuse. Once a patient has stopped using Dilaudid, they should dispose all pills/liquids completely to eliminate abuse.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Dilaudid?

The chances of missing a dose of Dilaudid are very slim because the drug is only used when needed i.e. during pain. However, if you happen to miss a dose, you should never take an extra dose to make up for the missed dose.

What should I do in case of an overdose?

In case you overdose on Dilaudid, you should seek immediate medical attention. Overdosing on Dilaudid can cause severe life threatening symptoms i.e. extreme drowsiness, fainting, weak pulse e.t.c.