Drug Notes

Hydromorphone/sodium chloride premix (Injection)

Hydromorphone (hye-droe-MOR-fone), Sodium Chloride (SOE-dee-um KLOR-ide)

Treats moderate to severe pain. This medicine is a narcotic analgesic (pain medicine).

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• If you receive this medicine through a needle or tube inserted into a vein (an IV injection), this medicine needs to be given slowly, so the needle will remain in place.
• To avoid dizziness from this medicine, get up slowly from a lying or sitting position.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine for diarrhea, or an MAO inhibitor (Nardil®, Parnate®, Eldepryl®).
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, gallbladder disease, inflammatory bowel disease, an enlarged prostate, or trouble going to the bathroom.
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Shortness of breath, trouble breathing.
• Severe skin rash, itching, or hives.
• Slow, fast, or uneven heartbeat.
• Trouble going to the bathroom (urinating).

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Drowsiness or confusion.
• Dizziness, headache, or blurred vision.
• Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite.
• Constipation.
• Sweating, or cold, clammy skin.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 12/4/2015