Hydromorphone

General information

Hydromorphone, usually sold as brand names Palladone or Dilaudid, is a very potent centrally acting analgesic drug of the opioid class.

History

Knoll introduced it to the mass market in 1926 under the brand name Dilaudid, indicating its derivation and degree of similarity to morphine (by way of laudanum). The brand name Dilaudid is more widely known than the generic term hydromorphone, and because of this, Dilaudid is often used generically to mean any form of hydromorphone.

Dosage

Oral

Light: 1-2 mg

Common: 3-4 mg

Strong: 4-8+ mg

Insufflated

Light: 1-2 mg

Common: 3-4 mg

Strong: 4-8+ mg

Intravenous

Light: 1-2 mg

Common: 3-4 mg

Strong: 4-6+ mg

Effects

Positive

• Euphoria

• Pain relief

Neutral

• Pupil Constriction

• Itching

• Sedation

Negative

• Drowsiness

• CNS depression

• Dizziness

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Sweating

Images

Legal status

• United States: Schedule II