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Hydromorphone User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Brand names: Dilaudid

Hydromorphone has an average rating of 8.0 out of 10 from a total of 448 reviews on Drugs.com. 75% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 15% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Hydromorphone

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • tub...
  • November 28, 2015

For Chronic Pain "This is an incredible drug - I'm 25 and living with MS. Subsequently, I have terrible spasms in my back that are non-stop. I've been on this drug for over three years and have absolutely no complaints. I've tried 12 other pain meds before this - all of them making me very high, nauseated, or sleepy. Then comes along Dilaudid - my doctor decided to try me on it because I was having such a hard time with all of the other drugs. From the moment I took the first dose, I have been pain-free - without any side effects whatsoever. Because I have been on it for so long, I have become tolerant to it, so I have to begin the search for a new drug. Anyone looking for a pain med - this is the route to go."

10 / 10
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  • Bub...
  • June 9, 2013

For Chronic Pain "I have been in so much pain over the past 2 years. My neurologist has tried EVERYTHING! I have taken every medication there is. Every narcotic available. Nothing has helped except my oxycodone 15x5 a day, and it just took the edge off. My doctor put me on Exalgo along with my oxycodone for breakthrough pain, and I started to feel normal again. I was told I have small fiber neuropathy along with a list of other horrible things, and I can say without a doubt that this medicine has been a miracle for me. I have gone from not being able to walk from time to time and being in so much pain to feeling normal again. Don't get me wrong. I still hurt, but hey, I can handle this hurt! What a blessing!"

9 / 10
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90 Report
  • Lil...
  • May 12, 2014

For Pain "A couple of summers ago, I got a spider bite that unfortunately developed into a full-blown MRSA outbreak, which spread to multiple parts of my body! I ended up being hospitalized for 3 weeks while trying to clear up the horribly painful infection, where they gave me extreme doses of antibiotics & Dilaudid (4mg) IV every 2 hours. Within moments of each dose, all the pain would fade away & I'd get incomparable relief!!! However, on the opposite extreme, the tablet form of this medicine (hydromorphone) that the doctor sent me home on didn't even compare. I couldn't even tell after taking it, I would rate the pill form a 1!"

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • wad...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • August 24, 2015

For Chronic Pain "I think it should be a law for all pharmaceuticals that have anything to do with the production of hydromorphone or any other narcotic to be required to make a medication to wean you off of these medications."

10 / 10
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  • OSU...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 19, 2017

For Pain "Last week I had an old-fashioned way of gallbladder removal (20+ previous surgeries had left behind too many adhesions for a laparoscopic removal). The 0.5 mg Dilaudid I was given was much better than the morphine in past surgeries. Issue: because I am a middle-class lady with insurance seeing a pain management specialist for chronic pain, I was labeled a druggie! I was given 0.5 to 1 mg for my ride home. I suffered horribly in pain. 0.5 is 1/8 the normal dose for most coming out of surgery. My previous physician (decades) had retired. He believed no patient should suffer unnecessarily after surgery! Not these physicians and not this poor excuse for a hospital."

10 / 10
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  • Twi...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • May 16, 2012

For Pain "Dilaudid is used for breakthrough pain, and it does an excellent job. I can honestly say that this medicine works very well between doses of my primary medicine. I would recommend that everyone follow your doctor's directions to the letter, never take more than you are prescribed of ANY medicine. If I hadn't been put on the proper medicines, I would likely have ended up in an institution due to the pain being so bad. People don't realize how hard it is to live with chronic pain 24/7 unless they have been there at some point themselves."

8 / 10
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  • cus...
  • July 24, 2008

For Pain "Great pain narcotic, works in about 20 minutes after oral administration. I am on 4 mg tablets, every six hours, usually one a day does the trick. I also take it in conjunction with 30mg of Oxycontin ER. I can actually get out of bed and do something. Be advised though that withdrawals could be severe. I had withdrawals after last dose twelve hours ago, so you must taper off. Do it with your doctor's help though."

10 / 10
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  • Gre...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 14, 2013

For Chronic Pain "Dilaudid keeps me wide awake. I take 4 mg for failed back surgery. It does take the edge off, but doesn't take away half of the pain. For the life of me, I cannot understand why it keeps me wide awake. I took one pill at 4:30 pm yesterday and last I looked at my clock last night, it was 4:33 am."

5 / 10
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  • Red...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • August 25, 2013

For Chronic Pain "I started taking Exalgo in June 2011 for chronic kidney/flank pain. I started with 8mg once a day. Increased to 12mg in March 2012. Then increased to 16mg in July 2013. I call Exalgo my miracle. I like taking the ER pill rather than popping pills all day long. I've tried so many different opiates, but I much prefer Dilaudid to all the others. I also take 4mg Dilaudid (hydromorphone) as needed for breakthrough pain. Best of luck to anyone suffering from chronic pain, it's a terrible way to live, but Exalgo definitely increased my quality of life. I hope it can do the same for you!"

10 / 10
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  • Jon...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 17, 2013

For Chronic Pain "I've been diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis. The pain it brought was excruciating - 15 on a scale of 1 to 10. The rheumatologist ordered an initial dose of 4 mg by IV (this is an unusually high dose, the pharmacy double-checked with the doctor before releasing the medicine). Subsequent doses were only 2 mg. Dilaudid took away ALL of my pain within 60 seconds. The relief lasted through the night, allowing me a full night of sleep. Hydromorphone, the tablet form, is far less effective than I.V. In fact, I was downright disappointed with the tablets. They seemed to do nothing at all for the pain. It's hard to believe that hydromorphone tablets and Dilaudid I.V. are the same medicine. I will request for my doctor to prescribe the Dilaudid injections."

10 / 10
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90 Report
  • Kel...
  • November 23, 2012

For Chronic Pain "INTENSE CHRONIC PAIN. No Comparison or Substitute. HEAVILY Prescribed Tons of Methadone and OXYCODONE for 4 Years. When forced at E.R. Dilaudid is the only thing that works. I think it should be used more often. Morphine at ER would take 4 shots and cause nausea, which is bad for my ailments. 10/10 EVERY TIME! Thanks"

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • November 17, 2012

For Chronic Pain "All I have to say is, give them a bit of time to work. Especially if you were on high doses of another opiate. Your body will not even feel them for the first 4 or 5 days. I was taking 3x40mgs of methadone along with 6x15mgs of oxycodone per day for 4 years until I had a heart attack. My doctor sent me for an EKG and my 'QT' interval was in the 500s along with leg and body swelling, tightness in the chest along with severe constipation (most likely from methadone). Once they got me weaned down from the methadone they prescribed 2x16mg Exalgo per day keeping the oxycodone as breakthrough. I started taking them as directed with no relief, and I felt nauseous with afternoon headaches. On the 4th day, I started feeling more relief. Give it time."

7 / 10
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  • Him...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 3, 2013

For Chronic Pain "I've been on Exalgo for about 3 weeks now and the difference is amazing. I have chronic pancreatitis, and the pain from that is just unbearable... the worst I've ever experienced. I had been taking 15 mg oxycodone on an every-8-hour regimen with 2 mg Dilaudid as needed for breakthrough pain. The oxycodone had lost its effectiveness, and I was having more and more pain that was becoming more and more difficult to control. When my doctor suggested Exalgo, I agreed to try it. Once my insurance authorized it, I got the prescription filled. I had to take 2 mg Dilaudid every 4-8 hours for a few days while the Exalgo built up, but once it did, my pain went from a 7 to a 3 on the pain scale. Wow."

8 / 10
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  • Val...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 28, 2014

For Chronic Pain "I am receiving Dilaudid through a pain pump. It's just been a month since the surgery. I was opioid tolerant at the time. I have sarcoidosis, degenerative disc disease, and osteoarthritis. I feel so much better than I have in a long time. I'm not sleepy, but I did get tingling in the lower left leg that went to my toes. I am stiff in joints, but not sure if it's the arthritis or Dilaudid. I rate it at 8.5."

8 / 10
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  • suz...
  • January 4, 2014

For Chronic Pain "My pain management doctor switched me to this medicine 2 days ago. It's a miracle. I have been on everything. I was taking OxyContin 80 mg 2 times per day along with 30 mg oxycodone every 4 hours for breakthrough pain. I felt the difference within hours. I suffer from chronic pain due to my back. I've had 5 spinal fusion surgeries."

10 / 10
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  • mar...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 25, 2015

For Pain "I have been taking oxycodone for almost a year now for severe back pain. Not only did they not work, but the side effects were terrible! Really bad constipation and dry mouth, so I had to get two other prescriptions for those. Back in June, I was admitted to the ER locally, and at first, they gave me morphine after they figured it out that it was acute pancreatitis. Right before the ambulance came to take me down to the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh, they gave me Dilaudid in the IV, and within 10 minutes, the pain was pretty much gone. So they continued me on it while I was in the hospital and afterwards for my back pain. It's been the only thing that has helped with both. Oxycodone and morphine have no real effect on my pain."

9 / 10
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60 Report
  • Anonymous
  • February 5, 2015

For Pain "I was in the hospital for appendicitis, and I was given this to help with the pain. Before the entire shot was inside of me, my head hit the pillow, and I had an instant release of pain... Greatest pain killer I've ever had."

10 / 10
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  • Old...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • November 8, 2013

For Pain "I have had 15 surgeries for injuries sustained through sports and accidents. I also have severe migraines that started when I was 18. My extreme sporting life is over. I am in pain 24/7. The doctor is too concerned about the DEA, so I have no solution other than loading up on Advil. It worries me now because I'm getting older and the extreme pain really ups my blood pressure. If severe pain and nausea last 3 days, I spend the $1k for the ER trip. Although each ER doctor wants to try very weak pain meds that have not worked, if I can get a shot of Dilaudid with Phenergan, it seems to break the pain cycle. Morphine may work, but I can actually feel it in my body and that scares me. I just wish I didn't have to wait until I feel I'm dying and spend $1k to get relief from this drug."

10 / 10
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69 Report
  • Jul...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 20, 2020

For Pain "Had this post-op for hip replacement. Wow. Excellent. Took about 20 seconds for pain relief. Did not make me loopy, just blocked the intense post-operative pain (went from a 10 to a 2 in 20 seconds). Wonder drug."

10 / 10
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  • auc...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 23, 2018

For Pain "I have disc problems and plates in my neck. I also suffer from severe migraines with loss of the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerve fibers. I have been on morphine and oxycodone, but nothing works like Dilaudid does. I think it is better than the other two."

10 / 10
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  • pol...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 29, 2015

For Pain "I was prescribed this medication for breakthrough pain. It works better than the oxycodone, and I rate it a 10. They would highly recommend this medication to people with severe pain to help with the breakthrough pain. This is Dilaudid, which is a very effective medication post-surgery."

10 / 10
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  • ebp...
  • February 18, 2009

For Pain "I am a 62-year-old woman with a number of health-related issues that cause chronic and sometimes acute pain, including three herniated discs (C3-C6), lower back pain, and bad knees. Percocet, Darvocet, and Vicodin upset my stomach, so I've only been on Lodine twice a day for the past two years. My doctor suggested a trial on Dilaudid - 2mg to 4mg every 4-6 hours until I can have a knee replacement. 2mg did not make me pain-free, but definitely was an improvement. However, 4mg allowed me to walk without pain for the first time in months. It makes me sleepy, but aside from that, there have been no unpleasant side effects. Dilaudid is a wonder drug for anyone who experiences chronic pain."

10 / 10
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80 Report
  • Str...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • August 30, 2024

For Chronic Pain "I was a career frontline combat soldier in the U.S. Army and was blown into a cinderblock wall in Ramadi, Iraq, on July 15th, 2007. I've had eighteen surgeries over the years to put me back together, and Dilaudid has been a game changer. I have an amazing pain doc who understands my situation and has empathy and compassion. I take 4 mg of Dilaudid five times a day, and my pain level went from an 8 to a very tolerable 4. Chronic pain will never go away. But to me, it's about quality of life. The only issue I have is opioid addicts have ruined it for those of us who need chronic pain control. Finding a pharmacy that carried the 4 mg tablets was like finding the Holy Grail! Now this old soldier is good to go and has my life back. It was an honor to serve this great nation. But I wouldn't wish combat on Satan himself."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • August 20, 2008

For Pain "I take Dilaudid for a severe kidney stone condition. I take the pills at home (4mg), although I start by cutting them in half and only take 2mg to start. If 2mg don't help, I take the other half of the pill for a total of 4mg. I take Dilaudid in combination with MS Contin. Like many others have said, I have tried many other pain medications, and Dilaudid is the ONLY thing that helps me with my pain. Morphine does not help (it makes me very sick - although the long-acting MS Contin is ok). When the pills are not able to control my pain, or after surgery, I take IV Dilaudid, and this is the best pain medication. There have been times I've been curled in a ball in tears, the pain has been so bad, and this works instantly."

10 / 10
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85 Report
  • Zum...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • September 12, 2020

For Chronic Pain "Due to a severe back injury, was referred to a pain clinic (thankful!). Have been on many meds over the years. Now suffering with spinal stenosis, degenerative disk disease, ankylosing spondylitis, basically crippled, yippee! Take 4 to 5 Dilaudid, 4 mg, and get some relief. Starting today on a long-acting Dilaudid and praying for relief. Good luck and sincere best wishes to all taking this med."

10 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.