Hydromorphone

Category: alkaloid

Aliases: Dilaudid

Pharmacological Mechanism

Hydrogenated ketone of morphine — μ-opioid agonist with ~5× morphine potency. Less histamine release → less itching and hypotension than morphine. Used for severe pain when morphine is poorly tolerated.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 2.5h, IV: 2.64h

Dosing Guidelines

Target Organ Systems