Dilaudid 4mg

Description of Dilaudid 4mg:

Dilaudid 4mg is used to help relieve moderate to severe pain. Generic name of Dilaudid is Hydromorphone hydrochloride. Hydromorphone hydrochloride belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid analgesics. It works in the brain to change how the body feels and responds to pain. The extended-release form of Hydromorphone hydrochloride is for around-the-clock treatment of moderate to severe pain, not for use on an as-needed basis for pain. Dilaudid is a hydrogenated ketone of morphine, considered as an opioid agonist.

Dilaudid Tablets are supplied in 2 mg, 4 mg, and 8 mg tablets for oral administration. The tablet strengths describe the amount of hydromorphone hydrochloride in each tablet. Moreover, the oral solution of Dilaudid tablet supplies in the form of viscous liquid.

The chemical name of Dilaudid 4mg (Hydromorphone hydrochloride) is   4,5α-epoxy-3-hydroxy-17-methylmorphinan-6-one hydrochloride. The molecular Weight is 321.80. Its molecular formula is C17H19NO3·HCl

The chemical structure of Dilaudid (Hydromorphone hydrochloride) is given below.

 

Chemical structure of Dilaudid (Hydromorphone hydrochloride)

Hydromorphone hydrochloride is a white or almost white crystalline powder that is freely soluble in water, very slightly soluble in ethanol (96%), and practically insoluble in methylene chloride.

 

Precaution to intake Dilaudid 4 mg:

Dilaudid 4 mg (Hydromorphone hydrochloride) belongs to the drug class narcotic analgesics and classified as a Schedule 2 controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). Thus patients should follow each and every precaution prescribed by the doctor before taking this medicine. Dosing error of Dilaudid 4mg (Hydromorphone hydrochloride) can lead the patient to death. For liquid dosage of Dilaudid (Hydromorphone hydrochloride) should be measured only by an adequate measuring device as prescribed by the doctor.

Although the risk of addiction of Dilaudid (Hydromorphone hydrochloride)  in any individual is unknown. And it can occur in patients appropriately prescribed Dilaudid Oral Solution or tablets. Addiction can occur at recommended dosages and if the drug is misused or abused.

Life-Threatening Respiration problem

Consumption of overdose of Dilaudid 4mg can cause serious life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression. If not immediately recognized and treated, it may lead to respiratory arrest and death. Management of respiratory depression may include close observation, supportive measures, and use of opioid antagonists, depending on the patient’s clinical status.

Adrenal Insufficiency

Cases of adrenal insufficiency have been reported with opioid use, more often following greater than one month of use. Presentation of adrenal insufficiency may include non-specific symptoms and signs including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and low blood pressure. If adrenal insufficiency is suspected, confirm the diagnosis with diagnostic testing as soon as possible. If adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed, treat with physiologic replacement doses of corticosteroids. Wean the patient off of the opioid to allow adrenal function to recover and continue corticosteroid treatment until adrenal function recovers. Other opioids may be tried as some cases reported use of a different opioid without recurrence of adrenal insufficiency. The information available does not identify any particular opioids as being more likely to be associated with adrenal insufficiency.

 

Shape of the Dilaudid 4mg:

Shape of the Dilaudid 4mg pill imprint with P on top and 4 on bottom of the pill. The colour of the pill is Light yellow and the shape of the pill is round and the generic name of the medicine is Hydromorphone hydrochloride.

The picture of the pill of Dilaudid 4mg is given below.

Picture of the Dilaudid 4mg pill

Generic name: Hydromorphone hydrochloride

Imprint: P 4

Strength: 4 mg

Colour: Light yellow

Size: 6.00 mm

Shape: Round

Availability: Prescription only

 

Dosage of Dilaudid 4mg:

Initial dosage of Dilaudid (Hydromorphone hydrochloride) is 0.2 mg to 1 mg IV every 2 to 3 hours as needed.

Usual dosage of Dilaudid (Hydromorphone hydrochloride) for pain is given below.

• Oral Tablets: 2 to 4 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed
• Oral Liquid: 2.5 to 10 mg orally every 3 to 6 hours as needed
• IM or Subcutaneous: 1 mg to 2 mg IM or subcutaneously every 2 to 3 hours as needed (lower initial doses may be appropriate in opioid naive patients)

Moreover, recommendation is to use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.

• Monitor closely for respiratory depression, especially within the first 24 to 72 hours of initiating therapy and with each dose increase.
• Due to risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, even at recommended doses, reserve use for patients for whom alternative treatment options (e.g., non-opioid analgesics or opioid combination products) have not been tolerated, or are not expected to be tolerated, or have not provided adequate analgesia, or are not expected to provide adequate analgesia.

 

Side effects of of Dilaudid (Hydromorphone hydrochloride):

Dilaudid (Hydromorphone hydrochloride) may be habit forming, especially with prolonged use. Therefore, intake hydromorphone exactly as directed. Patients should immediately inform in case of allegetic of Hydromorphone hydrochloride. Moreover, do not take more of it, take it more often, or take it in a different way than directed by your doctor.

The side effect of Dilaudid (Hydromorphone hydrochloride) can occur due the misuse or overdose of the medicine. 

The symptoms of side effects includes:

• headache
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• dry mouth
• lightheadedness
• drowsiness
• heavy sweating
• muscle, back or joint pain
• stomach pain
• anxiety
• flushing
• itching
• depression

 

Some side effects may be serious and need immediate medical consultation.

The symptoms of side effects consist:

• Hives
• Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, mouth, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Hoarseness
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, or dizziness
• Inability to get or keep an erection
• Irregular menstruation
• Decreased sexual desire
• Seizures
• Chest pain
• Extreme drowsiness
• Fainting
• Lightheadedness when changing positions

Summary

Dilaudid 4mg (Hydromorphone hydrochloride) belongs to the drug class narcotic analgesics and classified as a Schedule 2 controlled substance under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA). Thus patients should follow each and every precaution prescribed by the doctor before taking this medicine. Dosing error of Dilaudid 4mg (Hydromorphone hydrochloride) can lead the patient to death. Moreover, Patients should immediately inform in case of allegetic of Hydromorphone hydrochloride. Dilaudid (Hydromorphone hydrochloride) may be habit forming, especially with prolonged use. Therefore, intake hydromorphone exactly as directed.