Hydromorphone Hydrochloride (5 brand names, 5 dosage forms, 3 routes)
Available dosage forms: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE, SOLUTION, CAPSULE, EXTENDED RELEASE, TABLET, INJECTABLE.
Routes of administration: ORAL, INTRAMUSCULAR, INTRAVENOUS, SUBCUTANEOUS, INJECTION.
Brand Names
- DILAUDID
- DILAUDID-HP
- EXALGO
- HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE
- PALLADONE
Boxed Warning
WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets expose patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets, especially during initiation or following a dosage increase. To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets are essential [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. Accidental Ingestion Accidental ingestion of even one dose of hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of hydromorphone [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]. Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4), Drug Interactions (7)]. Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) Advise pregnant women using opioids for an extended period of time of the risk of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated. Ensure that management by neonatology experts will be available at delivery [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)]. Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Healthcare prov
Indications and Usage
Hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the management of pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Limitations of Use Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, misuse, overdose, and death, which can occur at any dosage or duration and persist over the course of therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)], reserve opioid analgesics, including hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets, for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are ineffective, not tolerated, or would be otherwise inadequate to provide sufficient management of pain.
Contraindications
Hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in patients with: Significant respiratory depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or in the absence of resuscitative equipment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)] Known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)] Hypersensitivity to hydromorphone, hydromorphone salts, any other components of the product, or sulfite-containing medications (e.g., anaphylaxis) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.16), Adverse Reactions (6.1)]
Adverse Reactions
The following serious adverse reactions are described, or described in greater detail, in other sections: Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Interactions with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia and Allodynia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)] Adrenal Insufficiency [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)] Severe Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)] Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)] Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13)] Withdrawal [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14)]
Drug Interactions
Table 1 includes clinically significant drug interactions with hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets. Table 1: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Hydromorphone Hydrochloride Tablets Benzodiazepines and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Clinical Impact: Due to additive pharmacologic effect, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]. Intervention: Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Inform patients and caregivers of this potential interaction and educate them on the signs and symptoms of respiratory depression (including sedation). If concomitant use is warranted, consider recommending or prescribing an opioid overdose reversal agent [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Warnings and Precautions (5.2, 5.3, 5.4)]. Examples: Benzodiazepines and other sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabepentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), other opioids, alcohol. Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact: The concomitant use of opioids with other drugs that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter system has resulted in serotonin syndrome. Intervention: If concomitant use is warranted, frequently evaluate the patient, particularly during treatment initiation and dose adjustment. Discontinue hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets if serotonin syndrome is suspected. Examples: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), triptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine,
Mechanism of Action
Hydromorphone is a full opioid agonist and is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of hydromorphone is analgesia. Like all full opioid agonists, there is no ceiling effect for analgesia with morphine. Clinically, dosage is titrated to provide adequate analgesia and may be limited by adverse reactions, including respiratory and CNS depression. The precise mechanism of the analgesic action is unknown. However, specific CNS opioid receptors for endogenous compounds with opioid-like activity have been identified throughout the brain and spinal cord and are thought to play a role in the analgesic effects of this drug.
Overdosage
Clinical Presentation Acute overdose with hydromorphone can be manifested by respiratory depression, somnolence progressing to stupor or coma, skeletal muscle flaccidity, cold and clammy skin, constricted pupils, and, in some cases, pulmonary edema, bradycardia, hypotension, hypoglycemia, partial or complete airway obstruction, atypical snoring, and death. Marked mydriasis rather than miosis may be seen with hypoxia in overdose situations [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. Toxic leukoencephalopathy has been reported after opioid overdose and can present hours, days, or weeks after apparent recovery from the initial intoxication. Treatment of Overdose In case of overdose, priorities are the reestablishment of a patent and protected airway and institution of assisted or controlled ventilation, if needed. Employ other supportive measures (including oxygen and vasopressors) in the management of circulatory shock and pulmonary edema as indicated. Cardiac arrest or arrhythmias will require advanced life-support measures. For clinically significant respiratory or circulatory depression secondary to opioid overdose, administer an opioid overdose reversal agent such as naloxone or nalmefene. Because the duration of opioid reversal is expected to be less than the duration of action of hydromorphone in hydromorphone hydrochloride tablets, carefully monitor the patient until spontaneous respiration is reliably reestablished. If the response to an opioid overdose reversal agent is suboptimal or only brief in nature, administer additional reversal agent as directed by the product’s prescribing information. In an individual physically dependent on opioids, administration of the recommended usual dosage of the opioid overdose reversal agent will precipitate an acute withdrawal syndrome. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms experienced will depend on the degree of physical dependence and the dose of the reversal agent administered. If a decision is made to treat serious respirat