Hydromorphone overdose

Alternative Names

Home Care

This can be a serious overdose. Seek immediate medical help.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed
• If the medication was prescribed for the patient

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to Expect at the Emergency Room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms are treated as appropriate.

The patient may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Breathing help (artificial respiration)
• Medicine (narcotic antagonist) to reverse the effect of the hydromorphone
• Tube from the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)

Outlook (Prognosis)

Patients who quickly receive medicine to reverse the effect of hydromorphone can recover within 1 to 4 hours.

References

Drummer OH. Recent trends in narcotic deaths. Ther Drug Monit. 2005 Dec;27(6):738-40.

US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Asks Purdue Pharma to Withdraw Palladone for Safety Reasons. Rockville, MD: National Press Office; July 13, 2005. Release P05-42.