Morphine and hydromorphone (Dilaudid) are opioid analgesic drugs that treat severe pain. Hydromorphone is two to eight times more powerful than morphine, but morphine’s effects last longer. Both can lead to a dependence.
Dilaudid is the brand name of the generic drug, hydromorphone, while morphine is a generic drug. The two work in similar ways but have some notable differences.
This article explores each drug in detail, the main differences between the two, and possible side effects. It also discusses drug interactions and answers some common questions about Dilaudid and morphine.
Below are some of the most common questions and answers about Dilaudid and morphine.
Yes, Dilaudid is a Schedule II drug, which means that there is a high risk of a person becoming dependent on it.
People should only use Dilaudid exactly as a healthcare professional directs and under medical supervision.
Doctors most commonly use opioids, such as hydromorphone and morphine, to treat severe painTrusted Source.
Hydromorphone and morphine are both opioids and work in similar ways. However, hydromorphone is the more potent of the two.
Dilaudid and morphine are both opioids. These are a class of medications that occur naturallyTrusted Source in the poppy plant or as synthetic derivatives of the plant. Other opioids include fentanyl, methadone, and oxycodone.
Opioids are very potent medications that serve as effective pain relievers. However, most have a high potential for dependency and addiction.
Dilaudid is one brand name for the opioid pain-relieving medication hydromorphone. Hydromorphone works by bindingTrusted Source to opioid receptors in the nervous system, altering the way a person’s body reacts to pain.
Hydromorphone is two to eight times more powerful than morphine, according to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency. Its action is also more sedative. However, morphine’s effects last longer.
A person can take hydromorphone in the form of a tablet, a liquid, or an extended-release oral tablet.
A doctor may prescribe this medication to treat severe pain in people who may require continuous pain relief. They could also recommend them to those unable to receive treatment with other medications.
However, hydromorphone can be addictive, and if a person misuses the drug, it can result in life threatening consequences.
Learn more about recognizing the signs of an opioid overdose and what to do.
Morphine functions similarlyTrusted Source to Dilaudid, as both change how the body responds to pain by interacting with the central and peripheral nervous systems. A doctor may use morphine to treat a person in moderate to severe pain.
A doctor may administer morphine as extended-release tablets or capsules or as a liquid solution.
There are various brand names for morphine, including:
Morphgesic
Sevredol
Morphabond
MXL
Oramorph
MST
Similarly to hydromorphone, morphine can lead to dependency, addiction, and possibly death if a person does not take the medication as a doctor advises.
The major difference between morphine and Dilaudid, or hydromorphone, is potency.
While both drugs treat severe pain and are both potent Schedule II controlled opioids, hydromorphone is the more potent of the two.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies drugs into Schedules according to their:
likelihood for misuse
likelihood of causing dependency
use as a medication
The DEA considers drugs with lower Schedule numbers to be more dangerous.
According to the DEA, hydromorphone is two to eight times more potent than morphine, provides greater sedation, and has a shorter duration.
Opioids carry a serious risk of dependency, addiction, misuse, and overdose. Even when a person uses opioids as a doctor directs, side effects may includeTrusted Source:
nausea and vomiting
constipation
depression
sweating
itching
confusion
dizziness
sleepiness
higher sensitivity to pain
drug tolerance
physical dependence, which means a person can experience withdrawal once they stop taking the medication
low testosterone levels
Side effects of Dilaudid may also include:
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
anxiety
flushing in the skin
Side effects of morphine may also include:
changes in mood
difficulty or pain while urinating
flushing in the skin
dry mouth
Additionally, adverse effects may vary between different people, and the lists above are not exhaustive.
Dilaudid, morphine, and other opioids may interact with many other medications, drugs, and herbal supplements.
These drug interactions may produce dangerous side effects.
Therefore, it is advisable for a person to discuss any other medications they may be taking with a doctor. They should also discuss any illegal substances or herbal supplements they may be using. An individual should also carefully read the enclosed packaging of the medication.