Hydromorphone tablets (1785)

Also called dilaudid®

What is hydromorphone and what should I know about it?

Hydromorphone is a very strong opioid pain medicine. Opioid is another name for narcotic. It should only be used after trying other pain control methods.

This medicine:

• should only be given if your child has a lot of pain that cannot be controlled by acetaminophen, ibuprofen or other methods.
• should only be needed for a few days.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Motrin®) are very good pain medicines. Ask the doctor for information about how to use them.

What are the side effects?

• Increased sleepiness or problems breathing. Call 911 if your child is too sleepy, does not wake easily, has trouble breathing or has swelling of the face or lips.
• Slower movements or thinking. Be careful when your child needs to be alert.
• Rash or hives. Stop the medicine and call your child’s doctor.
• Itching. Call your child’s doctor.
• Stomach upset. Give this medicine with food.
• Problems with pooping. See the teaching sheets: pain management at home and constipation.
• Problems with peeing (urinating). Call your child’s doctor.

How to give this medicine

• Only give this medicine if your child is awake, alert and has a lot of pain. Never wake up your child to give opioids.
• Follow your doctor’s directions. Never give more often than your doctor tells you.
• If you need to give less than a full tablet, use a pill cutter to accurately cut the tablet.
• Swallow tablet(s) with water.
• If your child is still in a lot of pain after taking the medicine, call your doctor.

Your child’s dose is _______tablet(s) by mouth = ________mg

This dose will be based on your child’s weight and will change with time.

Write the time that you give the medicine. You may not need all the boxes. 

How to safely use, store and get rid of medicine.

• Keep all medicine up and out of reach or locked up to keep children safe. Only people who need to give this medicine should know where it is kept. Even teenagers should be given this medicine by an adult.
• Never share prescription medicines with other people. This is dangerous and can cause serious harm and deaths. It is also against the law.
• Get rid of unused medicine. Do not save it.
• When your child no longer needs this medicine, get rid of the unused medicine. Some pharmacies and police stations will take leftover medicine.  To find a location, visit the Dose of Reality website: https://bit.ly/2Hqp0hz.
• Do not throw it in the sink, toilet or garbage.

Other teaching sheets that may be helpful

• #1763 Pain management at home
• #1118 Opioid safety
• #1844 Constipation

ALERT: Call 911 if your child is too sleepy, does not wake easily, has trouble breathing or has swelling of the face or lips. Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any other concerns.

For more health and wellness information check out this resource:

https://kidshealth.org/ChildrensWi/en/parents

This sheet was created to help you care for your child or family member. It does not take the place of medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.