Have you ever been in unbearable pain? Perhaps after a major surgery or a serious accident, the pain can't be controlled with regular painkillers. In times like these, there is a class of powerful painkillers that doctors use. Today we are going to talk about a drug in that class called Hydromorphone, which is given as an injection. Since it is very powerful, it will be very important for you to know exactly what it is.
Simply put, what is this hydromorphone?
Hydromorphone is a very strong painkiller that is used to control severe pain . It belongs to a class of drugs called opioids . It is usually prescribed by a doctor when other painkillers are not enough to control the pain, or when your body cannot tolerate the medication.
This works in a very simple way. When our body experiences pain, those pain signals travel through the nerves to the brain. That's when we feel "hurt." What this vaccine does is temporarily block the pain signal pathway to the brain. It's like stopping the pain message from reaching the brain.
This medicine can be found in Sri Lanka and abroad under various brand names such as `(Dilaudid)` and `(Dilaudid-HP)`.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Okay, this part is very important. Since hydromorphone is a very strong drug, it is essential that you give your doctor a complete account of your health condition. Failure to do so can lead to serious problems. If you have any of the conditions listed in the table below, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Situation you need to report | Why is it important? (Simple explanation) |
|---|---|
| A condition such as a brain tumor, head injury, or seizures. | This medication can increase pressure in the brain, so it can be dangerous for someone with these conditions. |
| Asthma or other lung/respiratory disease. | Opioids slow down breathing. This can make it even harder for someone who already has breathing problems. |
| Kidney or liver disease. | The kidneys and liver help remove drugs from the body. If these organs are not working properly, drugs can build up in the body and increase side effects. |
| If you regularly drink alcohol or have a substance use disorder. | When alcohol and opioids are combined, severe, life-threatening conditions such as respiratory arrest can occur. It is also important to disclose any history of addiction. |
| A stomach or intestinal problem. | Since this medicine causes constipation, it may worsen any existing intestinal problems. |
| Heart disease. | This medicine should be used with caution in certain heart conditions. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. | Taking this medicine for a long time during pregnancy may affect the baby. If you are a breastfeeding mother, the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
| If you have taken an MAOI medication (e.g. Marplan, Nardil) within the past 14 days. | Combining these two medications can cause very severe reactions. |
| If you have an allergy to hydromorphone or any other medicine or food. | It is very important to inform the doctor about any allergies. |
How is this vaccine used?
This vaccine is usually given by a doctor or nurse in a hospital or clinic . It can be injected into a vein, into a muscle, or under the skin.
But very rarely, you may have to use it at home. If that happens, you will be taught exactly how to use it. You should use it exactly as your doctor tells you, at the right time, in the right dose. Never take more than your doctor tells you.
Very important: If you are using this vaccine at home, do not throw used needles and syringes in the trash. This can be very harmful to others. Instead, put them in a special sharps container. If you do not have one, ask your doctor about it.
What to do if you overdose?
This is not a toy. If you take too much of this medicine, it can be life-threatening. If you suspect that you have taken too much, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. This medicine is for your own use only, do not share it with others for any reason.
Interactions with other medications
Hydromorphone is a drug that can interact with many other medications, so you should tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
| Avoid taking hydromorphone with these | |
|---|---|
| Olanzapine; samidorphan | Safinamide |
| Be especially careful when taking these with | |
| Alcohol | Severe drowsiness, breathing difficulties, and even death can occur. |
| Benzodiazepines (e.g. Diazepam, Alprazolam) | These are also a category that causes drowsiness, so the risk is higher. |
| Medicines for colds or allergies (Antihistamines) | These may cause increased drowsiness. |
| Some medications for depression or anxiety | The effects of the two medications may combine and increase side effects. |
| Sleeping pills or muscle relaxants | Excessive drowsiness and slowed breathing may occur. |
| Other opioid painkillers or cough medicines | Opioid doses can build up unnecessarily in the body. |
This list is not complete, so it's best to tell your doctor about all the medications you take.
Things to keep in mind when taking this medicine
- Pay attention to pain: If your pain doesn't go away, if it gets worse, or if you have a new type of pain, tell your doctor. When you take the medicine for a long time, your body may develop a tolerance to the medicine, and the dose you took before may not be enough to control the pain. This is normal. If this happens, your doctor will adjust the dose. Do not change the dose on your own.
- Dependence: After taking this medication for a long time, your body can become dependent on it. This means that if you stop taking the medication suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. This is to be expected. Therefore, when you need to stop taking the medication, your doctor will gradually reduce the dose.
- Be aware of Naloxone: Naloxone is a life-saving emergency drug given in the event of an opioid overdose. It is important to be aware of the symptoms of an overdose (slow breathing, excessive sleepiness, inability to wake up). Tell your family about this as well.
- Driving and operating machinery: This medication may reduce your attention, decision-making ability, and reaction time. Therefore , avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know exactly how this medication affects you.
- Dizziness: You may experience dizziness and fainting after taking this medication. To reduce this, get up slowly from a sitting or lying position, rather than suddenly. Drinking alcohol can increase this side effect.
- Constipation: Constipation is a common side effect of this medication. If you have not had a bowel movement for 3 days, talk to your doctor. Drinking plenty of water and eating a high-fiber diet can help.
- Dry mouth: If your mouth is dry, chewing sugar-free gum and sipping water may help.
Commonly seen side effects
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Slow breathing (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, excessive sleepiness, inability to wake up, and loss of consciousness. |
| Decreased adrenal function | Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness, dizziness. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | Dizziness |
| Drowsiness | Dry mouth |
| Headache | Nausea and vomiting (Nausea, Vomiting) |
Take-Home Message
- Hydromorphone is a very strong medication that is only used for severe pain that is not relieved by other painkillers.
- Before starting this medication, be sure to tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication for any reason. Also, be very careful when taking other medications that cause drowsiness.
- Be aware of the symptoms of overdose (excessive sleepiness, slow breathing). If you suspect such a thing, go to an emergency room (ETU) immediately.
- Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children and pets . It can be fatal if ingested by someone else.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others.
- If you have any further questions about this medication, don't hesitate to ask your doctor.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න