Hydromorphone for cancer pain

Palladone

This medicine is an opioid painkiller. There is a serious risk of addiction when taking this medicine, especially if used long-term. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued new guidance for people prescribed an opioid painkiller. If you have any questions or concerns about taking opioids safely please speak with your doctor or a pharmacist.

Hydromorphone eases severe pain associated with cancer.

The capsules can be swallowed whole with a drink of water, or opened and the contents sprinkled on to some soft food such as yoghurt.

The most common side-effects are constipation, drowsiness and feeling sick (nausea). Your doctor may prescribe medicines for you to take with hydromorphone to help with some of these side-effects.

Strong opioids are medicines used to treat severe pain. Hydromorphone is a type of strong opioid (sometimes called an opiate) used to treat pain caused by cancer. It works on your nervous system and brain to reduce the amount of pain you feel.

Hydromorphone is taken by mouth as a capsule. There are two types of capsule available: quick-acting capsules (Palladone®) and modified-release capsules (Palladone® SR). Modified-release capsules release the hydromorphone they contain more slowly than the quick-acting capsules do. This provides longer and more even pain relief.

How to take hydromorphone

• Before you start taking the capsules, read the manufacturer’s printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The manufacturer’s leaflet will give you more information about hydromorphone and a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then continue as before. If it is nearly time for your next dose, leave out the forgotten dose and take the next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose. If you are taking quick-acting capsules do not take more than one dose every four hours.
• Important: people taking opioid medicines, and their family and friends, should be aware of the risk of accidental overdose and know when to seek medical help. The risk is higher if you also take other medicines that make you feel drowsy. Signs you have taken too much medicine include:
  • Feeling very sleepy or dizzy.
  • Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting).
  • Breathing difficulties.
  • Loss of consciousness.

  If you have taken more morphine than you should or someone else accidentally swallows your medication, call for an ambulance and tell them the name of your medicine.

  If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.