Dilaudid Addiction, Abuse, Withdrawal & Treatment
Dilaudid The Drug: Definition
Hydromorphone is the generic name that is given to Dilaudid. It is a drug that belongs to the class ‘depressants’- which generally slow the brains activity. It is an opioid which is also referred to as a narcotic and is a pain reliever medication.
Uses: Mechanism how it Works on the Body
Dilaudid is used to increase the brain’s tolerance for pain and as such it’s used as a painkiller especially in very severe pain situations such as during and after surgery. However, it has been abused for its ‘euphoric’ feeling and has also been used to treat heroin withdrawal symptoms.
The prescribed oral dosage for an adult is usually 2mg or 4mg taken every 4-6 hours (doctor’s prescriptions).
Adults should be given 2mg of Dilaudid liquid injected under the skin or into the muscle. An exception to this injection rule may be administered by a qualified doctor/ nurse if the patient is in the hospital; in which case the 2mg of Dilaudid will be injected slowly into the vein. The time duration to elapse after each dose of intake should be 4-6 hours (doctor’s prescriptions).
High Concentration Dose
In very severe cases of pain, a doctor may prescribe a high concentration of Dilaudid. It will be in the doctor’s prerogative to decide how much of a dosage to be given to the patient in such a scenario.
One rectal suppository should be used every 6-8 hours. This dose is often used at night.
Side Effects Of Dilaudid
Taking into consideration that Dilaudid/ hydromorphone is a depressant and that there is decreased functioning of the brain in responding fast to the needs of other body organs, the following side effects may be experienced: labored breathing, swellings – especially on the face, fainting – as a result of insufficient blood being supplied to the brain, convulsions, confusion, blurred or double vision, constipation or other bowel problems, sweating, insomnia, hallucinations and other related symptoms.
Interaction With Other Drugs
Dilaudid reacts dangerously with alcohol and could even bring about death when mixed. Ensure that you do not drink alcohol while taking Dilaudid and that all foods and drinks are alcohol free.
Apart from alcohol, the effects of Dilaudid on the body of someone who is taking other pain relievers or other medications that may slow their breathing or make them sleepy are dire. Drugs that treat urinary problems, irritable bowel medications, respiratory tract medications and all ulcer medications will cause fatal results when Dilaudid is used with them. Other drugs that have averse effects while Dilaudid is used are buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine and pentazocine among others.
One should not start using Dilaudid without consulting a qualified doctor and understanding exactly why the medication has been prescribed to them. Inform your doctor of any allergic reactions to painkillers in general, any respiratory problems, bowel constrictions etc. before they decide to put you on Dilaudid treatment. This will save you unnecessary addiction and side effects; and it might even save your life.
One should not just quit or stop the medication without informing their doctor that they are doing so; stopping abruptly could be fatal to their health.
One of the major medical crimes people commit – innocently perhaps – is sharing their medication with others who seem to be having the same problem as theirs. However similar the symptoms of another person are to yours, you should never share your Dilaudid prescription with them. Let them consult their physician and be given their own dosage.
One should never take a double or triple dose at any given time to make up for missed doses. In case you are not sure of what to do after missing a dose, consult your physician.
Dilaudid alters your thinking ability. It is important to learn how much or to what extent your thinking is impaired before trying to operate any machinery, such as cutters or vehicles which need your full concentration. This will help you avoid accidents.
Dilaudid should be stored at room temperature, away from the light and out of children’s and other unintended adult’s reach.
One should always ask for their doctor’s view on how to dispose this drug or its used packaging. Do not throw in the garbage or flush it down the toilet or sinks.
Who Should Not Use Dilaudid?
Due its side effects, Dilaudid/ hydromorphone should not be used by: people who have severe Central Nervous System (CNS) depression, people who are allergic to morphine or any other ingredient in Dilaudid, people who have pressure buildup beneath the skull as a result of a head injury, asthmatic people, people with breathing problems, especially slow breathers, as well as people who have fluid buildup in their lungs.
In addition to the above groups of people, the following people should also not use Dilaudid: people who have mental illnesses or have ever suffered from such, people with an alcohol history, people who have been epileptic or have seizures, those suffering from gallbladder problems, people with urinary tract problems or an enlarged prostrate, low blood pressure patients and people who have kidney problems. Pregnant women should also be discouraged from using Dilaudid.
Dilaudid is the purest form of heroin and many people who have discovered the euphoric feeling it gives have started abusing it. It is abused like heroin, alcohol and other depressants – used to ‘drown’ the users’ sorrows and has a very high addictive capacity, and as such, also is subject to withdrawal symptoms.
For Heroin Rehabilitation
Due to effects similar to heroin effects (although much of it could be administered into the body to experience the same feeling as when using heroin), Dilaudid has been used to rehabilitate heroin abusers. It is administered during the detox process to cure or minimize heroin’s withdrawal symptoms so that the body and mind don’t suffer during heroin withdrawal.
Dilaudid comes in a number of forms such as: tablets, ampules, oral liquid, sterile powder, suppositories, HP and HP Plus.