The potent narcotic painkiller Dilaudid can lead to side effects typical of many opiate prescription medications. Dilaudid is the brand name for hydromorphone hydrochloride and comes in oral liquid and tablet form. This medication should be used exactly as prescribed in the directions that accompany the prescription. Doing otherwise could lead to serious complications including addiction, overdose and death. Dilaudid can be used effectively to treat serious pain but has a high potential to be abused and lead to problems such as respiratory depression. The risks associated with Dilaudid increase if the medication is used in combination with alcohol or other substances that depress the central nervous system such as other narcotic medications, sleeping pills and tranquilizers. This could result in coma or death. The bottle’s label spells out clearly how Dilaudid should be used, appropriate dosage, warnings and possible interactions and side effects. It’s important to read this information in its entirety so you know what to expect and how to avoid complications.

Commonly-Reported and More Serious Side Effects of Dilaudid

All opiate-based prescription medications have in common a list of potential side effects that ranges from constipation to nausea to sedation and euphoria. Constipation is one of the most commonly-reported effects of narcotic medications. Left untreated, severe constipation can lead to a blockage which can be serious. Even with short-term use, patients can experience sedation, euphoria, dizziness, fatigue, depression, tremors, sleeplessness, anxiousness, flu-like symptoms, upset stomach, dry mouth, pupil constriction, itching, hallucination, delirium, sweating, muscle and bone pain, confusion, extreme irritability and muscle spasms. Medical help should be sought immediately if patients experience any of these more serious side effects: severe respiratory depression, confusion or stupor, coma, clammy skin, circulatory collapse and cardiac arrest.

Safe, Confidential Help is Available for Dilaudid Addiction

Chronic use of Dilaudid can lead to psychological and physical addiction, the latter which is characterized by intense withdrawal symptoms that develop when use is stopped abruptly. The Waismann Method of Accelerated Neuro-Regulation has offered hope and recovery for more than a decade to thousands of patients who develop opiate addiction. For many it’s an accidental addiction that develops. What this means is that most of our patients become dependent upon Dilaudid after legitimate use escalates once a tolerance develops. Our safe, humane and discreet program allows patients to be in and out of the hospital in days with our medical procedure. The procedure itself takes less than two hours and intravenous medications are used to cleanse opiates from patients’ opiate receptors. The withdrawal phase is accelerated and occurs while patients are under light sedation. They awake opiate-free and are unaware of the accelerated withdrawal that occurred while they were under. They are closely monitored for a few days and are given a prescription for a daily dose of the opioid antagonist Naltrexone for up to a year. We also have an optional aftercare program where treatment is individualized and includes massage, biofeedback, counseling and services of a private chef.