Dilaudid: Prescription Drug Abuse & Testing

Dilaudid is the trade name of hydromorphonelargely abused in US and is subject to criminal
hydrochloride which is a hydrogenated ketone ofdiversion. So, you should never take a larger dose
morphine that is used as an opioid analgesic tothan what is prescribed by your physician. Taking
treat moderate to severe pain. White coat cladit more often or for a longer period than what
chaps call it 4, 5a-epoxy-3-hydroxy-17your doctor tells you to is equally harmful and
methylmorphinan-6-one hydrochloride in theirmust be avoided at all costs.
language.Effects of Dilaudid Abuse:
Some bacteria have been shown to be able toAdverse effects of hydromorphone i.e. Dilaudid
turn morphine into hydromorphone. As reported inare similar to those of other opioid analgesics, and
the July 1993 issue of Applied Environmentalrepresent an extension of pharmacological effects
Bacteriology, the bacterium Pseudomonas putida,of the opioid drug class. The major hazards of
serotype M10, a naturally occurringhydromorphone include respiratory and CNS
NADH-dependent morphinone reductase whichdepression. The most frequently observed
lives in an aqueous solution containing morphine,adverse effects are sedation, nausea, vomiting,
forms a significant amount of hydromophone asconstipation, lightheadedness, dizziness and
an intermediary metabolite. Same way, codeinesweating.
may also be turned into hydrocodone.Physical Dependence on Dilaudid:
Dilaudid Prescription, Dosage & Administration:Opioid analgesics such as Dilaudid may cause
Dilaudid, a narcotic analgesic, is prescribed drug forpsychological and physical dependence. Physical
the relief of moderate to severe pain due todependence results in withdrawal symptoms in
biliary colic (pain caused by an obstruction in thepatients who abruptly discontinue the drug.
gallbladder or bile duct), burns, cancer, heartPhysical dependence usually does not occur to a
attack, injury (soft tissue and bone), renal colicclinically significant degree until after several weeks
(sharp lower back and groin pain usually caused byof continued opioid usage, but it may occur after
the passage of a stone through the ureter) &as little as a week of opioid use. Physical
surgery etc.dependence and tolerance are separate and
Hydromorphone comes as a tablet and also indistinct from abuse and addiction.
liquid form & thus can be taken orally. It alsoMiscellaneous:
comes as a rectal suppository. Each 5 ml ofIf you are sensitive to or have ever had an
Dilaudid oral liquid usually contains 5 mg ofallergic reaction to Dilaudid or narcotic painkillers,
hydromorphone hydrochloride. In addition, otheryou should not take this medication.
ingredients may include purified water,To limit abuse of opioid drugs like Dilaudid it is
methylparaben, propylparaben, sucrose, andnecessary to properly assess the patient, employ
glycerin. Dilaudid oral liquid may contain traces ofproper prescription practices, periodically
sodium metabisulfite. Although, dosage is adjustedre-evaluate the opioid therapy, and properly
by physician according to the severity of the paindispense and store the drugs.
and the response of the patient, however,Demerol Testing:
frequently, oral forms are taken every 4-6 hoursAs with other drugs, a diverse array of
while the suppository is usually used every 6-8techniques is available to test for Dilaudid abuse.
hours.As anticipated, some amount of Dilaudid remains
Dilaudid Abuse:unchanged while rest of it forms different
Hydromorphone has been observed to be one ofmetabolites.
those habit-forming drugs. Hydromorphone is