Dilaudid-HP Side Effects
Generic name: hydromorphone
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 14, 2023.
Note: This document provides detailed information about Dilaudid-HP Side Effects associated with hydromorphone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Dilaudid-HP.
Applies to hydromorphone: oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.
Other dosage forms:
Important warnings
This medicine can cause some serious health issues
Common side effects of Dilaudid-HP
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
- difficulty having a bowel movement
- difficulty with moving
- joint pain
- muscle pain or stiffness
Less common
- 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 Dilaudid-HP
Along with its needed effects, hydromorphone (the active ingredient contained in Dilaudid-HP) 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
- 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
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
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased libido, sexual dysfunction
- Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypogonadism
Opioids:
- Postmarketing reports: Adrenal insufficiency, androgen deficiency[Ref]
Hydromorphone (the active ingredient contained in Dilaudid-HP)
References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Dilaudid (hydromorphone)." Knoll Pharmaceutical Company
2. "Multum Information Services, Inc. Expert Review Panel"
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
5. (2010) "Product Information. Exalgo (hydromorphone)." Covidien
Frequently asked questions
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Further information
Dilaudid-HP 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.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.