Hydromorphone Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 14, 2023.

Applies to hydromorphone: oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

Other dosage forms:

• injection solution

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (solution; tablet)

Risk of Medication Errors. Ensure accuracy when prescribing, dispensing, and administering HYDROmorphone oral solution.

Dosing errors due to confusion between mg and mL can result in accidental overdose and death.Addiction, Abuse, and MisuseHYDROmorphone exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.

Assess each patient's risk prior to prescribing HYDROmorphone, and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions.Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS)To ensure that the benefits of opioid analgesics outweigh the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required a REMS for these products.

Under the requirements of the REMS, drug companies with approved opioid analgesic products must make REMS-compliant education programs available to healthcare providers.

Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to: complete a REMS-compliant education program, counsel patients and/or their caregivers, with every prescription, on safe use, serious risks, storage, and disposal of these products, emphasize to patients and their caregivers the importance of reading the Medication Guide every time it is provided by their pharmacist, and consider other tools to improve patient, household, and community safety.Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of HYDROmorphone.

Monitor for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of HYDROmorphone or following a dose increase.Accidental Ingestion. Accidental ingestion of even one dose of HYDROmorphone, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of HYDROmorphone.Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome. Prolonged use of HYDROmorphone during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated, and requires management according to protocols developed by neonatology experts.

If opioid use is required for a prolonged period in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available.Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants. Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.

Reserve concomitant prescribing of HYDROmorphone and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.

Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

Oral route (tablet, extended release)

Addiction, Abuse, and MisuseHYDROmorphone hydrochloride exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death.

Assess each patient's risk prior to prescribing HYDROmorphone hydrochloride, and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions.Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS)To ensure that the benefits of opioid analgesics outweigh the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required a REMS for these products.

Under the requirements of the REMS, drug companies with approved opioid analgesic products must make REMS-compliant education programs available to healthcare providers.

Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to: complete a REMS-compliant education program, counsel patients and/or their caregivers, with every prescription, on safe use, serious risks, storage, and disposal of these products, emphasize to patients and their caregivers the importance of reading the Medication Guide every time it is provided by their pharmacist, and consider other tools to improve patient, household, and community safety.Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression. Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of HYDROmorphone hydrochloride.

Monitor for respiratory depression, especially during initiation of HYDROmorphone hydrochloride or following a dose increase.

Instruct patients to swallow HYDROmorphone hydrochloride extended-release tablets whole; crushing, chewing, or dissolving HYDROmorphone hydrochloride can cause rapid release and absorption of a potentially fatal dose of HYDROmorphone.Accidental Ingestion. Accidental ingestion of even one dose of HYDROmorphone hydrochloride, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of HYDROmorphone.Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome. Prolonged use of HYDROmorphone hydrochloride during pregnancy can result in neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated, and requires management according to protocols developed by neonatology experts.

If opioid use is required for a prolonged period in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and ensure that appropriate treatment will be available.Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants. Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.

Reserve concomitant prescribing of HYDROmorphone and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.

Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation.

Common side effects of hydromorphone

Some side effects of hydromorphone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• difficulty having a bowel movement
• difficulty with moving
• joint pain
• muscle pain or stiffness

Less common side effects

• back pain
• belching
• diarrhea
• discouragement
• feeling sad or empty
• heartburn
• indigestion
• irritability
• loss of interest or pleasure
• muscle spasms
• pain in the arms or legs
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• tingling of the hands or feet
• trouble concentrating
• unusual weight gain or loss
• being forgetful
• bleeding after defecation
• clumsiness
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• crying
• delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness
• difficulty with swallowing
• difficulty with walking
• double vision
• excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• full feeling
• increased appetite
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• loss of balance
• low body temperature
• muscle aches
• muscle twitching or jerking
• rhythmic movement of muscles
• runny nose
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• sensation of spinning
• shivering
• slurred speech
• sneezing
• trouble with speaking

Incidence not known

• bad, unusual or unpleasant (after) taste
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chills
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• false or unusual sense of well-being
• fear or nervousness
• feeling of warmth
• muscle stiffness or tightness
• numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• relaxed and calm feeling
• shaking
• uncontrolled eye movements
• upper stomach pain

Serious side effects of hydromorphone

Along with its needed effects, hydromorphone may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking hydromorphone:

Less common side effects

• agitation
• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• bloody, black, or tarry stools
• blurred vision
• changes in behavior
• chest pain or discomfort
• decreased urination
• dry mouth
• fast, pounding, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• mood or mental changes
• rapid breathing
• severe stomach pain, cramping, or burning
• stiff neck
• sunken eyes
• thoughts of killing oneself
• trouble breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of material that looks like coffee grounds, severe and continuing
• wrinkled skin

Incidence not known

• bluish lips or skin
• change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow
• cold, clammy skin
• confusion
• constricted, pinpoint, or small pupils (black part of the eye)
• cough
• darkening of the skin
• decrease in frequency of urination or urine amount
• deep or fast breathing with dizziness
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• fast or weak pulse
• headache
• hives or welts, itching, skin rash
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• loss of appetite
• mental depression
• nausea
• noisy breathing
• overactive reflexes
• painful urination
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• poor coordination
• restlessness
• sweating
• talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
• tightness in the chest
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking hydromorphone:

Symptoms of overdose

• cold, clammy skin
• drowsiness that is so severe you are not able to answer when spoken to or, if asleep, cannot be awakened
• pinpoint (small) pupils in the eyes
• seizures
• slow heartbeat
• very slow or trouble breathing

For healthcare professionals

Applies to hydromorphone: compounding powder, injectable powder for injection, injectable solution, intravenous solution, oral capsule extended release, oral liquid, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release, rectal suppository.

General adverse events

The most common adverse effects are lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing, dysphoria, euphoria, dry mouth, and pruritus.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Constipation (up to 31%), nausea (up to 28%), vomiting (up to 14%),
• Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, dry mouth, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ileus, cramps, taste alteration, gastritis, diverticulitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Anal fissure, bezoar, duodenitis, impaired gastric emptying, painful defecation
• Frequency not reported: Flatulence, dysphagia, hematochezia, abdominal distension, hemorrhoids, abnormal feces, intestinal obstruction, eructation, diverticulum, gastrointestinal motility disorder, large intestine perforation
• Postmarketing reports: Oropharyngeal swelling^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Somnolence (up to 15%), headache (up to 12%), dizziness (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Lightheadedness, sedation, memory impairment, hypoesthesia, paresthesia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tremor, nystagmus, increased intracranial pressure, taste alteration, involuntary muscle contractions
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hyperreflexia
• Frequency not reported: Balance disorder, encephalopathy
• Postmarketing reports: Convulsions, drowsiness, dyskinesia, hyperalgesia, myoclonus, serotonin syndrome (with concomitant serotonergic drugs)^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Dysphoria, euphoria, insomnia, anxiety, depression, nervousness, nightmares, mood swings
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agitation, altered mood, hallucination, disorientation, abnormal dreams
• Frequency not reported: Floating feelings, dreams, apprehension, panic attack, suicide ideation, aggression
• Postmarketing reports: Confusional state^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic reactions, hypersensitivity reactions^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm, laryngospasm
• Frequency not reported: Respiratory depression, apnea, respiratory arrest, rhinorrhea, respiratory distress, hypoxia, sneezing, hyperventilation
• Postmarketing reports: Dyspnea^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Flushing, hypotension, peripheral edema, chest pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tachycardia, bradycardia, palpitations, syncope, presyncope, hypertension
• Frequency not reported: Circulatory depression, cardiac arrest, shock, extrasystoles
• Postmarketing reports: Peripheral edema^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Sweating, pruritus, hyperhidrosis, rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, diaphoresis
• Frequency not reported: Erythema
• Postmarketing reports: Angioedema^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site urticaria
• Postmarketing reports: Injection site reactions^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary retention, urinary hesitancy
• Postmarketing reports: Erectile dysfunction^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Biliary tract spasm
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Biliary colic
• Postmarketing reports: Hepatic enzyme increased^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia (up to 11%), pain, pyrexia, fall
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Weakness, abnormal feeling, chills
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Feeling drunk
• Frequency not reported: Neonatal withdrawal syndrome, addiction, abuse, misuse, overdose, drug withdrawal syndrome, vertigo, tinnitus, malaise
• Postmarketing reports: Fatigue, lethargy^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia/decreased appetite, decreased weight, dehydration
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fluid retention, increased appetite, hyperuricemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, muscle spasms, back pain, extremity pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle rigidity
• Frequency not reported: Myalgia^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blurred vision, diplopia, miosis, visual impairment
• Frequency not reported: Dry eye^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Antidiuretic effects^[Ref]

Endocrine

Hydromorphone:

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased libido, sexual dysfunction
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypogonadism

Opioids:

• Postmarketing reports: Adrenal insufficiency, androgen deficiency^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• Which painkiller should you use?
• Oxymorphone vs Hydromorphone - How do they compare?

Further information

Hydromorphone side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer