Dilaudid Side Effects
Generic name: hydromorphone
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 4, 2023.
Note: This document contains side effect information about hydromorphone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Dilaudid.
Applies to hydromorphone: injection solution. Other dosage forms:
Warning
Injection route (Solution)
Do not confuse HYDROmorphone hydrochloride Injection [high potency formulation (HPF)] with standard parenteral formulations of Hydromorphone Hydrochloride Injection or other opioids, as overdose and death could result.HYDROmorphone hydrochloride Injection and HYDROmorphone hydrochloride Injection [high potency formulation (HPF)] exposes users to risks of addictions, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess patient’s risk before prescribing and monitor regularly for these behaviors and conditions.Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur. Monitor closely, especially upon initiation or following a dose increase.Prolonged use of HYDROmorphone hydrochloride Injection or HYDROmorphone hydrochloride Injection [high potency formulation (HPF)] during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated. If prolonged opioid use is required in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available.Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate; limit dosages and durations to the minimum required; and follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.
Injection route (Solution)
HYDROmorphone hydrochloride injection exposes users to risks of addictions, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. Assess patient’s risk before prescribing and monitor regularly for these behaviors and conditions.Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur. Monitor closely, especially upon initiation or following a dose increase.Prolonged use of HYDROmorphone hydrochloride injection during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated. If prolonged opioid use is required in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available.Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate; limit dosages and durations to the minimum required; and follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.
Serious side effects of Dilaudid
Along with its needed effects, hydromorphone (the active ingredient contained in Dilaudid) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking hydromorphone:
Incidence not known
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- blurred vision
- change in consciousness
- change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
- chest pain or discomfort
- cold, clammy skin
- confusion
- cough
- difficult or troubled breathing
- dizziness
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- headache
- irregular, fast, slow, or shallow breathing
- lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- loss of appetite
- noisy breathing
- pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- severe constipation
- severe vomiting
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- sweating
- tightness in the chest
- trouble with sleeping
- unusual tiredness
- very slow heartbeat or pulse
- vomiting
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking hydromorphone:
Symptoms of overdose
- Change in consciousness
- cold and clammy skin
- convulsions (seizures)
- drowsiness that is so severe you are not able to answer when spoken to or, if asleep, cannot be awakened
- pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- pinpoint (small) pupils in the eyes
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- slow heartbeat
- unable to speak
- very slow or troubled breathing
- weak muscle tone
Other side effects of Dilaudid
Some side effects of hydromorphone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
- Anxiety
- bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- change in taste
- chills
- constricted, pinpoint, or small pupils (black part of the eye)
- decrease in the frequency or amount of urination
- diarrhea
- difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
- difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
- double vision
- dry mouth
- false or unusual sense of well-being
- fast or rapid breathing
- feeling of warmth
- hives or welts
- irritability
- itching
- loss of appetite
- muscle stiffness or tightness
- nausea
- painful urination
- redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- relaxed or calm feeling
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- seeing double
- shaking
- sleepiness
- uncontrolled eye movements
- upper stomach pain
- weight loss
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to hydromorphone: compounding powder, injectable powder for injection, injectable solution, intravenous solution, oral capsule extended release, oral liquid, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release, rectal suppository.
General
The most common adverse effects are lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing, dysphoria, euphoria, dry mouth, and pruritus.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Constipation (up to 31%), nausea (up to 28%), vomiting (up to 14%),
Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, dry mouth, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ileus, cramps, taste alteration, gastritis, diverticulitis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Anal fissure, bezoar, duodenitis, impaired gastric emptying, painful defecation
Frequency not reported: Flatulence, dysphagia, hematochezia, abdominal distension, hemorrhoids, abnormal feces, intestinal obstruction, eructation, diverticulum, gastrointestinal motility disorder, large intestine perforation
Postmarketing reports: Oropharyngeal swelling[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Somnolence (up to 15%), headache (up to 12%), dizziness (up to 11%)
Common (1% to 10%): Lightheadedness, sedation, memory impairment, hypoesthesia, paresthesia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tremor, nystagmus, increased intracranial pressure, taste alteration, involuntary muscle contractions
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hyperreflexia
Frequency not reported: Balance disorder, encephalopathy
Postmarketing reports: Convulsions, drowsiness, dyskinesia, hyperalgesia, myoclonus, serotonin syndrome (with concomitant serotonergic drugs)[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Dysphoria, euphoria, insomnia, anxiety, depression, nervousness, nightmares, mood swings
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agitation, altered mood, hallucination, disorientation, abnormal dreams
Frequency not reported: Floating feelings, dreams, apprehension, panic attack, suicide ideation, aggression
Postmarketing reports: Confusional state[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic reactions, hypersensitivity reactions[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm, laryngospasm
Frequency not reported: Respiratory depression, apnea, respiratory arrest, rhinorrhea, respiratory distress, hypoxia, sneezing, hyperventilation
Postmarketing reports: Dyspnea[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Flushing, hypotension, peripheral edema, chest pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tachycardia, bradycardia, palpitations, syncope, presyncope, hypertension
Frequency not reported: Circulatory depression, cardiac arrest, shock, extrasystoles
Postmarketing reports: Peripheral edema[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Sweating, pruritus, hyperhidrosis, rash
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, diaphoresis
Frequency not reported: Erythema
Postmarketing reports: Angioedema[Ref]
Local
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site urticaria
Postmarketing reports: Injection site reactions[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary retention, urinary hesitancy
Postmarketing reports: Erectile dysfunction[Ref]
Hepatic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Biliary tract spasm
Rare (less than 0.1%): Biliary colic
Postmarketing reports: Hepatic enzyme increased[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia (up to 11%), pain, pyrexia, fall
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Weakness, abnormal feeling, chills
Rare (less than 0.1%): Feeling drunk
Frequency not reported: Neonatal withdrawal syndrome, addiction, abuse, misuse, overdose, drug withdrawal syndrome, vertigo, tinnitus, malaise
Postmarketing reports: Fatigue, lethargy[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia/decreased appetite, decreased weight, dehydration
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fluid retention, increased appetite, hyperuricemia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, muscle spasms, back pain, extremity pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle rigidity
Frequency not reported: Myalgia[Ref]
Ocular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blurred vision, diplopia, miosis, visual impairment
Frequency not reported: Dry eye[Ref]
Renal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Antidiuretic effects[Ref]
Endocrine
Hydromorphone (the active ingredient contained in Dilaudid)
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased libido, sexual dysfunction
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypogonadism
Opioids:
Postmarketing reports: Adrenal insufficiency, androgen deficiency[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
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- Dilaudid injection
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- Dilaudid (Hydromorphone Injection) (Advanced Reading)
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Other brands
Dilaudid-HP, Exalgo, Palladone
Professional resources
Other brands
Dilaudid-HP, Exalgo, Palladone
Related treatment guides
References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Dilaudid (hydromorphone)." Knoll Pharmaceutical Company
2. "Multum Information Services, Inc. Expert Review Panel"
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
5. (2010) "Product Information. Exalgo (hydromorphone)." Covidien
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.