How long does dilaudid stay in your system?

Nikki--I can't more strongly suggest you find an intelligent, well-read pharmacist who will take the time to discuss this issue with you! I've found that most knowledgeable pharmacists know more about the effects/side effects/withdrawl, etc. than most doctors! My heart goes out to you for suffering so greatly at such a young age. I'm 59 and have been diagnosed as having "Failed Back Syndrome"... otherwise known as, "We don't know what else we can do for you". As I have commented in another area in this site, WHATEVER YOU DO, DO N-O-T LET YOUR DOCTOR TALK YOU INTO TRYING THE FENTINYL LOZENGES UNLESS YOU WANT YOUR TEETH DESTROYED... These lozenges are mainly for end-stage, terminal cancer patients, so for them, sadly, teeth aren't the issue... pain releif is.

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And my doctor demanded I try Methadone for the awful pain I suffer from having my back broken in 3 places, both rotator cuffs torn, and both knees blown out from my job. He prescribed a horrifying dose that just didn't seem right to me, but being obediant, I tried it... Within 24 hours I began having cardiac symptoms! Methadone as well as Fentinyl are respiratory depressants, so if you have ANY cardiac issues, "Just say NO!" I take 2 Oxycontin 60mg daily with a few Percocet 10-325 prn for "break-through". So-so relief, but it's about the best combination I've found yet, and this is combined with having had an implanted intrathecal infusion pump for over 20 years (liquid Dialudid is used in it with Bupivacaine) Wish I could be of more help. I don't suggest the pumps as the every 90 or so days refills and every 3-5 year replacement surgeries for worn out batteries is even more of a "pain". BUT, talk to your doctor. YOU may find relief from one as I've read of others who have written about success stories with them. They're manufactured by Medtronics (who, by the way, just lost a class-action suit to numerous patients claiming malfunctioning pumps). Best of luck to you. This is one sad road we all walk...

As a disabled (no longer practicing) physician I understand your frustration with finding appropriate info and treatment. Dilaudid tablet half life is approximately 2.7h according to textbooks, and you reach steady state after several (mininimal 3) half-lives. The books dodge around active metabolites, your personal absorption as well and hepatic metabolism of medications and this drug in particular. Also, as the previous respondant indicated extra adipose (fat) tissue can also extend the duration. Kidney and liver function have direct impact as well as other drugs competing to be metabolized, and how long you have been on a medication can (doesn't always) increase your body's ability to metabolize it and similar drugs.

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As a side note, someone has done you a dis-service in making you believe that dilaudid is " a highly addicive and potentially deadly painkiller". While it is one of the stronger opiates in that smaller doses provide more pain coverage, all narcotics when used as DIRECTED and NEEDED are relatively safe. Just about ANY medication used improperly can be deadly or have spontaneous severe allergic idiosyncratic response that could lead to death without proper treatment. Narcotics are among the oldest, most used (ie. we have significantly more patient data on them than newer pain medications like NSAIDS (aspirin excluded)).

It is true that chronic use will lead to DEPENDENCE, but that is true of many classes of medications including meds like antihypertensives etc. However, on the flip side, studies done approximately 20 years ago showed that patients treated with opiates for legitimate reasons (ie. real pain), were less likely than the average population to develop ADDICTION problems. The worst problem about being treated with narcotic medications is the stigma society has attached to them, and accessibility (many pharmacies refuse to carry certain ones.)

To sum up, the time it takes for the medication to leave your body is highly patient dependent- by now you probably have your own personal answer. I hope the side note gives you another perspective from which to view this in case the suboxone proves ineffective.

Sincerely,
--cavendish