Hydrostat IR Side Effects

Generic name: hydromorphone

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

Note: This document provides detailed information about Hydrostat IR Side Effects associated with hydromorphone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Hydrostat IR.

Applies to hydromorphone: injection solution.

Other dosage forms:

• oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress while you are receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants. CNS depressants are medicines that slow down the nervous system, which may cause drowsiness or make you less alert. Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, other prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. This effect may last for a few days after you stop using this medicine. Check with your doctor before drinking alcohol or taking any of the medicines listed above while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen this problem. Also, lying down for a while may relieve the dizziness or lightheadedness.

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, confused, or disoriented. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert.

Using narcotics for a long time can cause severe constipation. To prevent this, your doctor may direct you to take laxatives, drink a lot of fluids, or increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, because continuing constipation can lead to more serious problems.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are receiving this medicine.

If you have been using this medicine regularly for several weeks or longer, do not suddenly stop using it without checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. This may help prevent worsening of your condition and reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms, such as abdominal or stomach cramps, anxiety, fever, nausea, runny nose, sweating, tremors, or trouble with sleeping.

Some babies who are born to mothers physically dependent on this medicine will also be physically dependent and may have breathing problems and withdrawal symptoms. This could be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if your baby has difficulty with breathing, shortness of breath, excessive crying, irritability, fever, vomiting, or tremors.

Check with your doctor right away if you have anxiety, restlessness, a fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or see or hear things that are not there. These may be symptoms of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Your risk may be higher if you also take certain other medicines that affect serotonin levels in your body.

Using too much of this medicine may cause reduced infertility (unable to have children). Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Hydrostat IR

Along with its needed effects, hydromorphone (the active ingredient contained in Hydrostat IR) 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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking hydromorphone:

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

Symptoms of overdose

• change in consciousness
• cold and clammy skin
• convulsions (seizures)
• drowsiness that is so severe you are not able to answer when spoken to or, if asleep, cannot be awakened
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• pinpoint (small) pupils in the eyes
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• slow heartbeat
• unable to speak
• very slow or troubled breathing
• weak muscle tone

Other side effects of Hydrostat IR

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:

See also:

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 (the active ingredient contained in Hydrostat IR):

• 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

Hydrostat IR 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