Special Diets

Depending on your specific product, this medication is given by injection under the skin, into a muscle, or slowly into a vein. Use exactly as directed by your doctor. Learn the proper way to give injections. If you have any questions about using this medication properly, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. If this medication is given into a muscle or under the skin, it is important to change the location of the injection site with each dose to avoid problem areas under the skin.

Use needles and syringes only once. Learn how to discard needles and medical supplies safely. Some brands of this medication contain more than 1 dose. Some brands contain only 1 dose. Review the use of the product you have been prescribed with your pharmacist. If your doctor has directed you to use a single-dose brand, use it for only 1 dose. Do not save any medication remaining in the package. Consult your pharmacist for more information.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Pain medications work best if they are used when the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well. Do not increase your dose, use the medication more often, or use it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.

If nausea occurs, ask your doctor or pharmacist for ways to decrease it (such as lying down for 1 to 2 hours with as little head movement as possible).

If you have ongoing pain (such as due to cancer), your doctor may direct you to also take long-acting opioid medications. In that case, this medication might be used for sudden (breakthrough) pain only as needed. Other pain relievers (such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen) may also be prescribed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using hydromorphone safely with other drugs.

Suddenly stopping this medication may cause withdrawal, especially if you have used it for a long time or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have any withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, mental/mood changes (including anxiety, trouble sleeping, thoughts of suicide), watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, muscle aches, or sudden changes in behavior.

Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Use this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

Tell your doctor if your pain does not get better or if it gets worse, or if you have any new pain.