High potency opioid available in short acting preparations.
Used to relieve moderate to severe pain and severe, painful dry coughing.
Superior solubility and speed of onset, a less troublesome side effect profile, and lower dependence liability as compared to morphine.
3–4 times stronger than morphine, but with a lower risk of dependency.
Pref2242ed over morphine in treatment of chronic pain syndromes, in use in the emergency department to the operating suite.
Hydromorphone lacks the toxic metabolites of many opioids that tend to cause nausea.
It is a common alternative for those having hallucinations from fentanyl.
A good alternative to morphine and fentanyl in severe chronic pain, especially for for those with breakthrough pain.