Hydromorphone

Trade Names: Dilaudid, Hyrdromorph Contin

Uses

  • Management of severe and persistent pain
  • Analgesia and sedation for critically ill patients in the ICU
  • Neuraxial analgesia (epidural or intrathecal injection)

Adverse Effects

Considerations for PT

  1. Consider timing for pain relief prior to Physiotherapy intervention Consider timing for pain relief prior to Physiotherapy intervention

Route of Administration

  1. EpiduralEpidural
  2. Intramuscular (IM)Intramuscular (IM)
  3. IntrathecalIntrathecal
  4. Intravenous (IV)Intravenous (IV)
  5. Oral (Extended Release)
  6. Oral (Immediate Release)
  7. SubcutaneousSubcutaneous

Mechanism of Action

Binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, causing:

  • Inhibition of ascending pain pathways
  • Alteration of pain perception
  • Alteration of response to pain
  • Cough suppression
  • Generalized central nervous system depression

Drug Dynamics

Time to Peak Effect

15 minutes to 30 minutes

Duration of Action

2 hours to 4 hours

Time to Onset

3 minutes to 5 minutes

Resources

*Some links accessed via VCH Intranet

Last updated: April 30, 2026