Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Hydromorphone

Post your experience

Hydromorphone is used to treat severe pain and is particularly useful for treating pain associated with cancer.
If the patient finds it difficult to swallow the capsule or the modified release capsule, it can be opened and the contents sprinkled onto soft food such as yoghurt before eating.
Nausea, vomiting or constipation may occur with this medicine. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medicines to take with hydromorphone to help with these side effects.
Hydromorphone can cause drowsiness. Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.

About hydromorphone

Type of medicine	Analgesic
Used for	Pain relief
Also called	Palladone; Palladone SR
Available as	Oral capsules

Hydromorphone is used to relieve severe pain, it works on the nerves and brain to reduce the pain you feel. It is available in capsule form and as a modified release capsule; which means it is released slowly over the day to give a more even effect.

Before taking hydromorphone

Before taking hydromorphone make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
If you suffer from breathing problems.
If you suffer from prostate problems.
If you suffer from adrenal gland problems.
If you suffer from liver, kidney, or thyroid problems.
If you suffer from epilepsy.
If you suffer from low blood pressure (hypotension).
If you have recently suffered a serious head injury.
If you are an alcoholic.
If you have been constipated for more than a week, with or without tummy pain and bloatedness.
If you are taking or have taken monoamine oxidase inhibitors (a type of antidepressant), in the last 2 weeks.

How to take hydromorphone

Take hydromorphone exactly as directed by your doctor.

Getting the most from your treatment

If the patient finds it difficult to swallow the capsule or the modified release capsule, it can be opened and the contents sprinkled onto soft food such as yoghurt before eating.
Alcohol will increase any feelings of drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Hydromorphone can cause constipation. Constipation can often be eased by eating plenty of fibre, such as fruit, green leafy vegetables, bran and drinking 6-8 glasses of water each day.
Because hydromorphone is a controlled drug, if you are planning a trip abroad, check with the correct government department (HM Revenue and Customs) to see if you need any documentation for your medicine. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has a list of medicines that contain controlled drugs and can tell you the amount that you are allowed to take abroad. If you need to pack more of your medicine than you are allowed you will need to apply in writing for a licence from the Home Office before you travel.

Can hydromorphone cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine.
Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.
If you are suffering from a condition that is not listed and you think may be due to your medicine speak to your pharmacist or doctor.

Common side-effects	What can I do if I experience this
Nausea and vomiting	It usually passes after a few days; as you adjust to the medicine. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a medicine to ease nausea.
Drowsiness	Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert.
Constipation	Try to eat a well balanced diet containing bran and drink 6-8 glasses of water each day. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a laxative.
Dry mouth	If you experience this, try chewing sugar-free gum, sucking sugar-free sweets or pieces of ice.
Sweating	Use a cold/wet flannel or sponge placed on the forehead.
Dizziness, particularly when getting up from a sitting or lying position	Getting up slowly should help.

How to store hydromorphone

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of you local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

DocID:
611

DocRef:
dils3682

Last Updated:
24 Oct 2006

Date of Next Review:
23 Oct 2008

Version:
22

The authors and editors of this article are employed to create accurate and up to date content reflecting reliable research evidence, guidance and best clinical practice. They are free from any commercial conflicts of interest. Find out more about updating.

Patient UK Hearing Impairment Survey

Patient UK are grateful to the 550 people who took part in this survey.
To see the results click here.
If you'd like to leave your feedback, please go to our interactive forum.

Links to other pages within Patient UK which are related to this topic:
Experience | News | Products | Other

Print options:

Other options:

Advert

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Related pages in Patient UK

Your Experience (^ top of page)

Please add your experience about this condition / medicine

Patient UK Newspaper (^ top of page)

Latest Health News

View current health news

Other - Useful resources (^ top of page)

Pictures, diagrams, photos, images, etc.
Evidence based medicine
Online textbooks and journals
UK Guidelines
Online Videos
Medline
Other good health sites

Want to search some more? Use the Google Search box below to search our site.

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Information Leaflets which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Support Groups which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Medicines & Drugs which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of diagrams which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of PatientPlus (detailed reference) articles which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of UK Guidelines which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of other selected websites which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Poems and Stories which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Operations and Procedures which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find a list of Online Videos which are related to the topic you are currently viewing

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links through to our interactive forum.
Here you can follow a link to view existing patient experiences on this subject, or to add your own

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to news stories on this subject in our Online Newspaper

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to related products

Clicking here will take you to the foot of this page where you'll find links to other useful sources of information

Click here to open a printer-friendly version of this document, in a new window, together with the print dialogue box

Click here to open this document in PDF format
This will offer you the usual PDF options i.e. document navigation, search, zoom and formatted print
Note: this is the best way to print the document

Click here to listen to the MP3 audio recording of this document

Click here to download the audio recording of this document as a podcast, for listening to at your leisure

Click here to open our Dictionaries and Glossaries page

Click here to see related products in our Online Pharmacy
Note: this will open in a new window

Click here to add this page to a social bookmarking site of your choice

Click here if you want to find out more about social bookmarking. This link will take you to the Wikipedia explanation
Note: this will open in a new window