Hydromorphone
Hydromorphone, also known as dihydromorphinone, and sold under the brand name Dilaudid among others, is a morphinan opioid used to treat moderate to severe pain. Typically, long-term use is only recommended for pain due to cancer. It may be used by mouth or by injection into a vein, muscle, or under the skin. Effects generally begin within half an hour and last for up to five hours. A 2016 Cochrane review (updated in 2021) found little difference in benefit between hydromorphone and other opioids for cancer pain.
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Trade names | Dilaudid, Palladone, others |
Other names | Dihydromorphinone |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a682013 |
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Dependence liability | High |
Addiction liability | High |
Routes of administration | By mouth, intramuscular, intravenous, subcutaneous |
Drug class | Opioid |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | By mouth: 30–35%, Intranasal: 52–58%, IV/IM: 100% |
Protein binding | 20% |
Metabolism | Liver |
Onset of action | 15 to 30 min |
Elimination half-life | 2–3 hours |
Duration of action | 4 to 5 hrs |
Excretion | Kidney |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.006.713 |
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Formula | C17H19NO3 |
Molar mass | 285.343 g·mol−1 |
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Solubility in water | HCl salt: 333 |
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Common side effects include dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, itchiness, and constipation. Serious side effects may include abuse, low blood pressure, seizures, respiratory depression, and serotonin syndrome. Rapidly decreasing the dose may result in opioid withdrawal. Generally, use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is not recommended. Hydromorphone is believed to work by activating opioid receptors, mainly in the brain and spinal cord. Hydromorphone 2 mg IV is equivalent to approximately 10 mg morphine IV.
Hydromorphone was patented in 1923. Hydromorphone is made from morphine. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It is available as a generic medication. In 2021, it was the 261st most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 1 million prescriptions.