Hydromorphone injection is an opioid medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Hydromorphone injection may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use hydromorphone if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a narcotic medicine, or if you have:

• severe asthma or breathing problems; or
• a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.

Do not use hydromorphone if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• breathing problems, sleep apnea;
• a head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;
• alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness;
• urination problems;
• liver or kidney disease;
• a sulfite allergy;
• Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders; or
• a pancreas disorder.

If you use opioid medicine during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and may need medical treatment for several weeks.

Ask a doctor before using opioid medicine if you are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you notice severe drowsiness or slow breathing in the nursing baby.

Use Dilaudid-HP (Injectable) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Opioid medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep;
• severe drowsiness;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or
• low cortisol levels--nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Serious breathing problems may be more likely in older adults and people who are debilitated or have wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders.

Common side effects may include:

• constipation, nausea, vomiting;
• dizziness, drowsiness;
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• sweating, itching;
• dry mouth; or
• mood changes.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.