APO Hydromorphone Rx triangle 8mg

APO-Hydromorphone 8mg is used for moderate-to-severe pain when non-opioid treatments are ineffective, not tolerated, or otherwise inadequate.

Medical benefits include:

• Strong relief of severe acute pain
• Relatively rapid pain control after major surgery, serious injury, or during serious illness
• Reduced breakthrough pain
• Improved comfort, rest, mobility, and ability to participate in recovery

The 8mg tablet is a high strength. The Canadian monograph lists 2–4 mg every four to six hours as the usual initial range for adults not already receiving opioids, so 8 mg should be used only when specifically prescribed based on the patient’s pain history and opioid exposure.

Hydromorphone can cause nausea, constipation, extreme drowsiness, dependence, addiction, overdose, and life-threatening respiratory depression. Swallow the tablet as directed and do not crush, chew, dissolve, or otherwise alter it.

Never combine it with alcohol, alprazolam, clonazepam, sleeping medication, GHB, morphine, oxycodone, or other opioids or sedatives unless closely managed by a clinician; these combinations can cause profound sedation, coma, or death.

Keep naloxone accessible. If someone cannot be awakened or is breathing slowly, irregularly, or not at all, give naloxone if available and call 911 immediately.