Opioids or the drugs that have been derived from opium directly or indirectly have a long history of usage in medicine. Opioids are strong pain relievers. Existence of u opioid receptor in brain indicates their use over human history. Opioid derivative “Hydromorphone” was prepared by German researchers in 1924 and it was branded and marketed as “Dilaudid” in 1926.Hydromorphone or Dilaudid was primarily used as an analgesic and then as a strong cough medication. Both of the uses derive from the fact that opioids are CNS or central nervous system depressants. Not only that, but Haydromorphone has also shown to have some potential as respiratory and circulatory depressant.
Whenever an opioid (like Morphine) is considered as a drug of choice, the potential of abuse should be considered and if a long term use is desired, withdrawal symptoms should be given weightage.
Although Hydromorphone has very short half-life and the dose has to be repeated after 90 minutes, its potency increases many folds when accompanied with alcohol or other CNS depressants like benzodiazepines.
Hydromorphone is abused as a drug to produce euphoria. The euphoric feeling is derived from drugs action on u opioid receptors. Addicts and other illicit users are able to get hold of the drug from the patients who have been prescribed with the drug or from the person who stole it from pharmacies. The long history of drug has resulted in many formulations of the Hydromorphone to be available in the market. From rapid onset tablet s to sustained release formulations are available. However Hydromorphone was banned in America in 2005.
To date the legal and most important use of Hydromorphone is as cough suppressant.
Comments