Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DILAUDID versus NUMORPHAN.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DILAUDID versus NUMORPHAN.
DILAUDID vs NUMORPHAN
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is a full opioid agonist with high affinity for mu-opioid receptors, producing analgesia by mimicking endogenous endorphins and enkephalins. It also activates kappa and delta opioid receptors to a lesser extent.
Opioid agonist; binds to mu-opioid receptors in the CNS, inhibiting ascending pain pathways and altering pain perception.
Initial: 2-4 mg orally every 4-6 hours as needed; or 1-2 mg intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intravenously every 4-6 hours as needed.
Intravenous or subcutaneous: 0.5-2 mg (0.1-0.2 mg/kg for severe pain) every 2-3 hours as needed; not to exceed 20 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
2.5-3.5 hours (terminal); prolonged in hepatic/renal impairment
Terminal elimination half-life is 2–3 hours in adults; prolonged to 3–4 hours in elderly and up to 15 hours in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Primarily renal (90% as hydromorphone-3-glucuronide and parent drug); <1% biliary/fecal
Primarily renal (approximately 70% as unchanged drug, <5% as noroxymorphone and other conjugates); biliary/fecal excretion accounts for ~20%.
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic