Dilaudid dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes Dilaudid’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it or how it’s given. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Dilaudid. If you want to know more about Dilaudid, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Dilaudid is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet, oral solution, and injection.* It’s available in a generic version called hydromorphone. This article describes dosages of Dilaudid.

* A healthcare professional may give Dilaudid injection in one of three ways. They may give it by:

• intravenous (IV) infusion, an injection given into your vein over time
• intramuscular injection, given into your muscle
• subcutaneous injection, given under your skin

Boxed warnings

This drug has boxed warnings about the following risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

• Dilaudid oral tablet has a boxed warning for the risk of serious harm from medication errors.
• In addition, Dilaudid oral tablet and oral solution have a boxed warning for the risk of someone accidentally taking the drug, especially children.

The boxed warnings for Dilaudid oral tablet, oral solution, and injection include risks of:

• addiction and misuse
• serious breathing problems
• neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS)
• serious side effects if taken with certain other medications

See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.

Forms and strengths of Dilaudid

Dilaudid comes in these forms and strengths:

Dosage of Dilaudid

This article describes the recommended dosages for Dilaudid. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Dilaudid without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of Dilaudid in adults

Dilaudid is prescribed for severe pain in adults that isn’t managed by other treatments.

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Dilaudid. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Dilaudid that gives the desired outcome.

Dosage of Dilaudid oral tablet

The recommended dosage of Dilaudid oral tablet for pain in milligrams (mg) is:

• Starting dose: 2–4 mg
• Frequency: once every 4–6 hours

Dosage of Dilaudid oral solution

The recommended dosage of Dilaudid oral solution for pain in milligrams (mg) and milliliters (mL) is:

• Starting dose: 2.5–10 mg (or 2.5–10 mL)
• Frequency: once every 3–6 hours as needed for pain

Dosage of Dilaudid injection

Dilaudid injection is given by a healthcare professional in one of three ways. It may be given into a vein, muscle, or under your skin.

The recommended dosage of Dilaudid injection when given into the muscle or under the skin is:

• Starting dose: 1–2 mg
• Frequency: once every 2–3 hours as needed

The recommended dosage of Dilaudid injection when given into a vein by intravenous (IV) infusion is:

• Starting dose: 0.2–1 mg
• Frequency: once every 2–3 hours

Dosage adjustments for Dilaudid

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Dilaudid based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• the form of Dilaudid you’re prescribed

Missed dose of Dilaudid

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Dilaudid. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of Dilaudid and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Dilaudid and its dosage.

How long does it take for Dilaudid to start working?

The time it takes for Dilaudid to start working depends on the form you’re prescribed. Dilaudid oral tablet and oral solution typically begin working within 30 minutes. Dilaudid injection usually starts to work within 15 minutes.

If you have more questions about how long it takes Dilaudid to start working, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Dilaudid taken long term?

Typically, no. Doctors don’t usually prescribe Dilaudid as a long-term treatment. It’s most often recommended for short-term use. But, in some cases, Dilaudid may be prescribed as a long-term treatment.

If you have questions about how long you should take or use Dilaudid, talk with your doctor.

How Dilaudid is taken

You’ll swallow Dilaudid oral tablet once every 4–6 hours as needed for pain. You’ll swallow Dilaudid oral solution once every 3–6 hours as needed for pain. Taking it with food might lower your risk of an upset stomach.

Dilaudid oral tablet can be cut, crushed, or split. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you Dilaudid injection.

Dilaudid coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for Dilaudid when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

Overdose of Dilaudid

It’s important that you do not take more Dilaudid than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of Dilaudid overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• slowed or shallow breathing (respiratory depression)
• extreme sleepiness that can lead to coma
• limp muscles
• cold, clammy skin
• small pupils (pinpoint pupils)
• low blood pressure
• slow heart rate
• fluid in your lungs

What to do if you use or take too much Dilaudid

If you think you’ve taken or used too much Dilaudid, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Dilaudid. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of Dilaudid without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Dilaudid exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will a higher dosage of Dilaudid raise my risk of side effects?
• Can the risk of addiction occur at any dosage of Dilaudid?
• How long will I need to take Dilaudid?

Boxed warnings for Dilaudid

This drug has boxed warnings about the following risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Risk of serious harm from medication errors. Take Dilaudid exactly as prescribed. Taking an incorrect dose of the medication can lead to serious and life threatening side effects, including overdose and death.

If you’re prescribed Dilaudid oral solution, be sure to use the measuring device that comes with your prescription. Do not use a household measuring spoon or any kitchen measuring device because they’re not completely accurate.

Risk of addiction and misuse. Dilaudid has a risk of misuse and addiction. Misuse means taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it. Addiction means taking a drug even if it’s causing harmful outcomes. Doctors sometimes refer to misuse and addiction as substance use disorder. Addiction can occur at any dosage of Dilaudid, even if it’s taken as recommended.

Due to these risks, Dilaudid is prescribed through the opioid analgesic risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program to make sure it’s prescribed safely.

Risk of serious breathing problems. Dilaudid can cause serious and life threatening respiratory depression, even when taken at the recommended dosage. Your breathing can become very slow or shallow. If this isn’t recognized and treated, it can lead to death.

Respiratory depression can happen at any time during treatment, but the risk is highest when you first start Dilaudid or if your doctor increases your dosage.

Because of this risk, be sure to take Dilaudid exactly as prescribed. If you have trouble breathing during treatment with this medication, call 911 to get emergency medical help right away.

Risk of accidental ingestion. Taking even one dose of Dilaudid oral tablet or oral solution by accident can cause serious breathing problems, overdose, and even death. This risk is especially high for children.

Be sure to store Dilaudid in a safe and secure place where children cannot get to it.

Risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Taking Dilaudid for a long period of time while pregnant can cause NOWS. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug on which your body is dependent. Dependence means your body needs the drug to function as usual.) In this case, withdrawal symptoms can affect your newborn.

NOWS can be life threatening if it’s not recognized and treated. If Dilaudid is prescribed for long periods of time during your pregnancy, your doctor will monitor your newborn. They’ll watch for symptoms of NOWS and treat them as needed.

Risk of serious side effects if taken with certain other medications. Taking certain other medications with Dilaudid can raise your risk of extreme sleepiness, slowed or shallow breathing, coma, and death. This includes any medications that slow brain function, such as benzodiazepines, sedatives, and muscle relaxants. This can also occur if you drink alcohol while taking Dilaudid.

Due to this risk, doctors typically only prescribe these medications together if there are no other options available. If you take Dilaudid with any of these substances, watch for these symptoms:

• trouble breathing
• slow or shallow breathing
• extreme sleepiness

If you experience any of these symptoms or someone notices them, get emergency medical help right away.

You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.