What Factors Affect a Sufficient Hydromorphone Dose?

Hydromorphone is an opioid medication commonly used to treat pain, and sometimes to control frequent coughing. This drug is often considered to be one of the more powerful painkillers, which makes determining a sufficient dosage a priority. Generally, a proper hydromorphone dose will allow for the relief of pain or other symptoms, but will not be so high as to increase the chance of side effects. Factors influencing this dosage can include its reason for use, the way that the drug is administered, and individual tolerance to opioid medications.

Often, adults taking this substance for pain relief use an initial dose of 1 milligram (mg) to 2 mg, taken orally every four hours. People that have been taking other opioid painkillers for their pain may have tolerance to this class of medications, however, meaning that they might require a slightly higher hydromorphone dose. In this case, a 2 mg to 4 mg dose may be taken every four hours. When individuals have been taking large opioid dosages before taking this drug, they may use a dosage calculator to determine an equivalent dose. Intravenous doses allow for better absorption of this medication, so they are often smaller than oral doses, as well.

Coughing that is painful and prolonged can also be treated with this compound. Usually, the hydromorphone dose appropriate for this purpose will be lower than an amount commonly taken for pain. Adults and children over 12 years old may take a dosage of 1 mg, up to six times a day. Younger children may benefit from an even smaller dose of 0.5 mg, taken up to every four hours, if needed. This substance is potent, but shorter-acting than other opioid cough suppressants, so many individuals only use it if they have not responded to weaker opioids like codeine.

Minimizing side effects such as shallow breathing and drowsiness can become extremely important when calculating a hydromorphone dose for people with liver and kidney problems. Health issues like these can slow the rate that their bodies break down and excrete this compound, which often can make a reduced dosage necessary. Individuals with conditions affecting their liver or kidneys that are beginning a regimen of this drug will often start with a hydromorphone dose that is roughly half of what a healthy individual would take. Afterward, this amount may be slowly increased, if necessary, as an individual builds tolerance to some of the more adverse effects.