What is Hydromorphone injection?
The injection of hydromorphone is used for treating moderate and severe pain.This medication guide does not list all uses of hydromorphone.
Side effects of Hydromorphone injection
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongueIf you take opioid medicine, it can cause your breathing to slow down or even stop. Death may result. If you're having slow, paused breathing, have blue lips, or are hard to awaken, someone caring for you needs to seek immediate medical care.
The side effects of hydromorphone can be serious. If you experience:
- Sighing is a noisy form of breathing.
- Severe sleepiness
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Low cortisol: nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; dizziness; and worsening fatigue.
Serotonin syndrome symptoms include: hallucinations and agitation; fever; sweating or shivering; rapid heartbeat; stiff muscles; twitching; and loss of coordination.People with chronic respiratory disorders, such as wasting syndrome, and older adults are more susceptible to serious breathing difficulties.
Side effects common to hydromorphone include:
- Constipation, nausea, vomiting;
- Dizziness, drowsiness;
- Flushing (feeling of warmth, redness, or tingling);
- Sweating, itching;
- Dry mouth
- Mood changes
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor.Report side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
Misuse of opiates can lead to addiction, overdose, or death. Store the medication in a place where other people cannot reach it.Opioids during gestation can produce withdrawal symptoms that could prove life-threatening to both mother and baby.You can experience fatal side effects if you combine opioid medication with alcohol or other drugs that cause drowsiness and slow breathing.
Before you take this drug
If you've ever experienced an allergic reaction, you should avoid using hydromorphone.
- Severe asthma or respiratory problems
- An obstruction of the bowel is called paralytic ileus.
If you've used an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days, do not take hydromorphone. Drug interactions may occur. Some MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.
If you've ever:
- Sleep apnea is a breathing problem.
- A head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;
- Alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness;
- Urination issues;
- Liver or kidney disease
- A sulfite allergy;
- Addison’s disease, or other disorders of the adrenal gland.
- A pancreas disorder.
Your baby may suffer life-threatening withdrawal syndrome if you take opioids during gestation. You will need to seek medical attention for a few weeks.If you see your baby drowsy or breathing slowly, tell the doctor.
How to take Hydromorphone?
Inject hydromorphone into the muscle, vein, or under the skin.In general, hydromorphone injections are only given if the patient is unable to swallow medicine.Do not share your opioid medication with anyone, particularly someone who has a drug abuse history. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Store the medication in a place where other people cannot access it. It is illegal to sell or give away hydromorphone.If you suddenly stop taking hydromorphone, withdrawal symptoms may occur. Before stopping your medication, consult with your doctor.
What happens if I miss the dose?
You are unlikely to miss a dosage in a medical environment.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. A fatal overdose is possible, particularly in children or people who are using opioids without a prescription.An environment conducive to medical treatment could address an overdose immediately.
What should be avoided?
Don't drink alcohol. Side effects and death can occur.You should avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you are sure how the hydromorphone affects you. Drowsiness or dizziness can lead to accidents or serious injuries.
Interaction with other drug
Other drugs may be harmful when taken with opioid medicines.Inform your physician of all medications you are currently taking.
- Medicine for asthma, allergies, motion sickness, or overactive bladder, and blood pressure;
- Other opioid medications
- A benzodiazepine sedative such as Valium or Klonopin
- Sleep medicine, muscle relaxants, or any other drug that makes you sleepy or drowsy
- Drugs that act on serotonin, such as antidepressants, stimulants, or medicines for migraines or Parkinson’s disease,
The list below is not exhaustive. Hydromorphone can interact with many drugs, including over-the-counter and prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all interactions.
