Hydromorphone Side Effects

Brand Names: Dilaudid, Dilaudid-HP, Exalgo, Palladone

Please note - some side effects for Hydromorphone may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

Side Effects of Hydromorphone - for the Consumer

Hydromorphone High-Potency

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Hydromorphone High-Potency:

Constipation; dizziness, drowsiness; dry mouth; flushing; lightheadedness; nausea; sweating; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Hydromorphone High-Potency:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; seizure; severe or persistent dizziness or drowsiness; severe or persistent headache or vomiting; shallow, slowed, or difficult breathing; tremor; trouble urinating; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Hydromorphone

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Hydromorphone:

Constipation; dizziness, drowsiness; dry mouth; flushing; lightheadedness; nausea; sweating; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Hydromorphone:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; seizure; severe or persistent dizziness or drowsiness; severe or persistent headache or vomiting; shallow, slowed, or difficult breathing; tremor; trouble urinating; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Hydromorphone Extended-Release

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Hydromorphone Extended-Release:

Constipation; dizziness, drowsiness; headache; lightheadedness; nausea; tiredness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Hydromorphone Extended-Release:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; confusion; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; seizure; severe or persistent constipation, stomach pain, or vomiting; severe or persistent dizziness, drowsiness, or headache; shallow, slowed, or difficult breathing; stomach swelling; tremor; trouble urinating; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Hydromorphone Extended-Release Capsules

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Hydromorphone Extended-Release Capsules:

Constipation; drowsiness; dry mouth; general body discomfort; headache; infection; itching; sleepiness; sweating; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Hydromorphone Extended-Release Capsules:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fast or irregular heartbeat; feeling faint or dizzy; hallucinations; pounding in the chest; seizure; shallow breathing; urination problems; vomiting.

Hydromorphone Liquid

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Hydromorphone Liquid:

Constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; flushing; lightheadedness; nausea; sweating; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Hydromorphone Liquid:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; seizure; severe or persistent dizziness or drowsiness; severe or persistent headache or vomiting; shallow, slowed, or difficult breathing; tremor; trouble urinating; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Hydromorphone Suppository

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Hydromorphone Suppository:

Constipation; dizziness, drowsiness; dry mouth; flushing; lightheadedness; nausea; sweating; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Hydromorphone Suppository:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; seizure or persistent dizziness or drowsiness; severe or persistent headache or vomiting; shallow, slowed or difficult breathing; tremor; trouble urinating; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

Hydromorphone Tablets

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Hydromorphone Tablets:

Constipation; dizziness, drowsiness; dry mouth; flushing; lightheadedness; nausea; sweating; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Hydromorphone Tablets:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; seizure; severe or persistent dizziness or drowsiness; severe or persistent headache or vomiting; shallow, slowed, or difficult breathing; tremor; trouble urinating; vision changes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

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Hydromorphone Side Effects - for the Professional

Hydromorphone

The major hazards of Hydromorphone Hydrochloride Tablets include respiratory depression and apnea. To a lesser degree, circulatory depression, respiratory arrest, shock and cardiac arrest have occurred.

The most frequently observed adverse effects are light-headedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing, dysphoria, euphoria, dry mouth, and pruritus. These effects seem to be more prominent in ambulatory patients and in those not experiencing severe pain.

Less Frequently Observed Adverse Reactions

General and CNS

Weakness, headache, agitation, tremor, uncoordinated muscle movements, alterations of mood (nervousness, apprehension, depression, floating feelings, dreams), muscle rigidity, paresthesia, muscle tremor, blurred vision, nystagmus, diplopia and miosis, transient hallucinations and disorientation, visual disturbances, insomnia, increased intracranial pressure

Cardiovascular

Flushing of the face, chills, tachycardia, bradycardia, palpitation, faintness, syncope, hypotension, hypertension

Respiratory

Bronchospasm and laryngospasm

Gastrointestinal

Constipation, biliary tract spasm, ileus, anorexia, diarrhea, cramps, taste alteration

Genitourinary

Urinary retention or hesitancy, antidiuretic effects

Dermatologic

Urticaria, other skin rashes, diaphoresis

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Hydromorphone Tablets, solution

The adverse effects of Hydromorphone hydrochloride are similar to those of other agonist opioid analgesics, and represent established pharmacological effects of the drug class. The major hazards include respiratory depression and apnea. To a lesser degree, circulatory depression, respiratory arrest, shock and cardiac arrest have occurred.

The most frequently observed adverse effects are light-headedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing, dysphoria, euphoria, dry mouth, and pruritus. These effects seem to be more prominent in ambulatory patients and in those not experiencing severe pain. Syncopal reactions and related symptoms in ambulatory patients may be alleviated if the patient lies down.

Less Frequently Observed with Opioid Analgesics:

General and CNS: Weakness, headache, agitation, tremor, uncoordinated muscle movements, alterations of mood (nervousness, apprehension, depression, floating feelings, dreams), muscle rigidity, paresthesia, muscle tremor, blurred vision, nystagmus, diplopia and miosis, transient hallucinations and disorientation, visual disturbances, insomnia and increased intracranial pressure may occur.

Cardiovascular:

Chills, tachycardia, bradycardia, palpitation, faintness, syncope, hypotension and hypertension have been reported.

Respiratory:

Bronchospasm and laryngospasm have been known to occur.

Gastrointestinal:

Constipation, biliary tract spasm, ileus, anorexia, diarrhea, cramps and taste alteration have been reported.

Genitourinary:

Urinary retention or hesitancy, and antidiuretic effects have been reported.

Dermatologic:

Urticaria, other skin rashes, and diaphoresis.

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Side Effects by Body System - for Healthcare Professionals

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included mental depression, respiratory depression (which is sometimes fatal), stupor, delirium, somnolence, agitation, increased intracranial pressure, and dysphoria. Myoclonus has also been reported.

Opiates may result in psychotic symptoms in some patients.

Other

Other side effects have included withdrawal symptoms which have occurred following either abrupt cessation or fast tapering of narcotic analgesics and have included agitation, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, tremor, abdominal cramps, blurred vision, vomiting, and sweating.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have occurred rarely and have included hypotension, shock, and arrhythmias.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included constipation, nausea, vomiting, biliary tract spasm, and dry mouth.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects including rashes and systemic contact dermatitis have been reported rarely.

Narcotic-induced rashes may be related to direct stimulation of histamine release.

Local

Local side effects have included redness, swelling and pain which develop at the site of subcutaneous injection of hydromorphone. Two cases of fatal neurologic events have been reported following intravenous injection of hydromorphone. In one case, a known intravenous drug abuser injected two melted hydromorphone suppositories into the right antecubital vein and suffered a stroke. In the other, a known intravenous drug abuser injected ground hydromorphone tablets and presented in an akinetic mute state and later died.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects including urinary retention have been reported for other narcotic analgesics.

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