Hydromorphone overdose

Definition

Hydromorphone is a prescription medicine used to relieve severe pain. Hydromorphone overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

Alternative Names

Dilaudid overdose; Palladone overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

Hydromorphone is a type of morphine. Hydromorphone is an opioid narcotic, which means it is an extremely powerful drug that can cause very deep sleep.

Patients who are prescribed hydromorphone for pain should not drink alcohol. Combining alcohol with this drug increases the chance for dangerous side effects and overdose symptoms.

Where Found

• Dilaudid
• Hydrostat

NOTE: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Bluish colored fingernails and lips
• Breathing problems
  • Breathing - slow and labored
  • Breathing - shallow
  • No breathing
• Cold, clammy skin
• Coma
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of consciousness
• Low blood pressure
• Muscle twitches
• Pinpoint pupils
• Spasms of the stomach and intestines
• Weakness
• Weak pulse

Warning: A severe overdose of hydromorphone can cause death.

Home Treatment

This can be a serious overdose. Seek immediate medical help.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed
• If the medication was prescribed for the patient

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms are treated as appropriate.

The patient may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Breathing help (artificial respiration)
• Medicine (narcotic antagonist) to reverse the effect of the hydromorphone
• Tube from the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

Patients who quickly receive medicine to reverse the effect of hydromorphone can recover within 1 to 4 hours.

References

Drummer OH. Recent trends in narcotic deaths. Ther Drug Monit. 2005 Dec;27(6):738-40.

US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Asks Purdue Pharma to Withdraw Palladone for Safety Reasons. Rockville, MD: National Press Office; July 13, 2005. Release P05-42.