NCTI- Pharmacology- Drug List J- Hydromorphone Hydrochloride

• 1.
• Binds with opiate receptors in brain, altering
• perception and emotional response to pain.

• 2.
• suppresses the cough reflex by direct action on the
• cough center in the medulla oblongata.

narcotic analgesic

Dilaudid

• 1. moderate to severe pain
• 2. persistent cough

• 1.
• increased intracranial pressure

• 2.
• respiratory depression / inadequacy – such as in
• COPD, status asthmaticus

• 3.
• circulatory compromise

• CNS: sedation, dizziness, lightheadedness, somnolence, blurred
• vision, nystagmus

Cardiovascular: hypotension, bradycardia

Respiratory: respiratory depression or arrest, bronchospasm

GI: nausea / vomiting, constipation

• Use with caution in head
• injuries; the elderly, debilitated or immuno-compromised patients; COPD or
• other respiratory problems and those with kidney or liver dysfunction.

• Other CNS depressants, general
• anesthetics, MAO inhibitors, other opioid analgesics, sedatives, tranquilizers,
• and tricyclic antidepressants may potentiate the effects of Dilaudid.

IV, IO, IM, SQ, PR and PO

• IV and IM administration most
• common in the hospital setting – IV: onset in 10-15 minutes, peaks in 15-30
• minutes and lasts 2-3 hours. IM: onset in 15 minutes, peaks in 30-60 minutes,
• and lasts 4-5 hours.

For Pain Control:

• Adults: 1-4 mg IM, SQ or SLOW IV push (over at least 2-5
• minutes) every 4-6 hours

• Pediatrics: Rarely given for pain control – primarily for
• cough suppressant effects.

For Cough:

Adults and children > 12 years: 1 mg cough syrup PO every 3-4 hours

• Children ages 6-12 years: 0.5 mg of cough syrup every 3-4
• hours

often used in clinical internship setting