Hydromorphone for cancer pain

About hydromorphone

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 סרטן. 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.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking hydromorphone it is important that your doctor knows:

• אם את בהריון, מנסה להיכנס להריון או מניקה.

• אם יש לך בעיות בכבד או בכליות.

• אם יש לך בעיות בערמונית או קשיים במתן שתן.

• If you have any breathing problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• If you have been told you have low blood pressure (hypotension).

• אם יש לך בעיות כלשהן עם בלוטת התריס, הלבלב או בלוטות יותרת הכליה.

• אם יש לך אפילפסיה.

• אם יש לך בעיה בצינור המרה שלך.

• אם אתה סובל מעצירות במשך יותר משבוע או שיש לך בעיה דלקתית במעיים.

• אם יש לך מצב הגורם לחולשת שרירים, הנקרא מיאסטניה גרביס.

• If you have a mental health problem called toxic psychosis.

• אם לאחרונה חווית פגיעת ראש חמורה.

• אם אי פעם היית תלוי בסמים או באלכוהול.

• אם אי פעם הייתה לך תגובה אלרגית לתרופה.

• אם אתה נוטל תרופות אחרות כלשהן. זה כולל כל תרופה שאתה נוטל שניתן לרכוש ללא מרשם, כמו גם תרופות צמחיות ומשלימות.

• 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.

• Take hydromorphone exactly as your doctor tells you to. If you have been prescribed the quick-acting capsules (Palladone®), you will be asked to take a dose every four hours. The modified-release capsules (Palladone® SR) are taken twice a day, 12 hours apart.

• There are different strengths of both types of hydromorphone capsule, so each time you collect a prescription check to make sure it is the strength you are expecting.

• You can swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water, or alternatively, open them and sprinkle the contents on to some soft food, such as yoghurt. Do not dissolve or chew the contents of the capsule as this may release all the medicine at once and cause side-effects.

• You can take hydromorphone before or after food.

• 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.

• Ask your doctor for advice before drinking alcohol while you are on this medicine. Your doctor may recommend you do not drink alcohol while you are on hydromorphone because it increases the possibility of side-effects such as feeling dizzy and sleepy.

• If you are a driver, please be aware that hydromorphone is likely to affect your reactions and ability to drive. It is an offence to drive while your reactions are impaired. Even if your driving ability is not impaired, should you drive, you are advised to carry with you some evidence that the medicine has been prescribed for you - a repeat prescription form or a patient information leaflet from the pack is generally considered suitable.

• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking hydromorphone as a painkiller.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take with hydromorphone. Many other medicines have similar side-effects to hydromorphone, and taking them together will increase the risk of these.

• If you are planning a trip abroad, you are advised to carry a letter with you from your doctor to explain that you have been prescribed hydromorphone. This is because hydromorphone is classed as a 'controlled drug' and is subject to certain restrictions.

• Continue to take hydromorphone unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Stopping suddenly will cause your pain to return, and it can also cause you to feel agitated, anxious, and sweaty. If you need to stop taking hydromorphone your doctor will prescribe an alternative painkiller for you, or reduce your dose gradually.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with hydromorphone. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

חשוב: 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:

• מרגיש מאוד ישנוני או מסוחרר.

• תחושת חולי (בחילה) או להיות חולה (הקאה).

• קשיי נשימה.

• אובדן הכרה.

אם נטלת יותר מורפין ממה שהיית צריך או שמישהו אחר בלע בטעות את התרופה שלך, התקשר לאמבולנס והודע להם את שם התרופה שלך.

אם אתה חווה תסמינים נוספים שלדעתך עשויים להיות כתוצאה מתרופה זו, פנה לרופא או לרוקח שלך.

• שמור את כל התרופות מחוץ להישג ידם וראייתם של ילדים.

• יש לאחסן במקום קריר ויבש, הרחק מחום ואור ישיר.