Dilaudid, Exalgo vs. Percocet

Dilaudid and Exalgo (hydromorphone hydrochloride) and Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) are opioid analgesics used for control of moderate to severe pain.

One difference is that Percocet also contains a pain reliever and fever reducer (analgesic and antipyretic) and may be used for an extended period of time.

Another difference is that Dilaudid is available in injectable and oral forms. Exalgo and Percocet are only available in oral form.

Side effects of both Dilaudid and Exalgo and Percocet that are similar include itching, sweating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain or upset, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, headache, and dry mouth.

Dilaudid and Exalgo and Percocet both may interact with alcohol, other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing, atropine, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bladder or urinary medications, bronchodilators, and irritable bowel medications.

Use of opioids including Dilaudid, Exalgo, and Percocet can easily lead to dependency. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking these medications.

Side effects of Dilaudid, Exalgo include:

Common side effects of Dilaudid include

• flushing (warmth,
• redness, or tingling of skin),
• itching,
• sweating,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• blurred vision,
• double vision,
• headache,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• strange dreams, and
• dry mouth.

Serious side effects of Dilaudid include

• shallow, weak, or very slow breathing,
• trouble breathing,
• slow heart rate,
• confusion,
• lightheadedness or fainting,
• seizures (convulsions),
• cold clammy skin,
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest,
• wheezing,
• confusion,
• severe weakness or drowsiness,
• mental/mood changes (such as agitations, confusion, hallucinations),
• severe stomach or abdominal pain,
• difficulty urinating, or
• death.

After a few weeks of use, patients may develop both tolerance and physical dependence on Dilaudid and may need to be slowly weaned off the drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Common side effects of Percocet include:

• constipation,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• sleepiness,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• itching,
• headache,
• blurred vision,
• dry mouth,
• sweating, and
• decreases in the ability to feel pain.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Percocet including:

• respiratory depression,
• apnea (periodic stoppage of breathing),
• respiratory arrest,
• circulatory depression,
• low blood pressure (hypotension),
• shock, and
• death.

Dilaudid (hydromorphone hydrochloride) and Dilaudid Injection (also termed Dilaudid HP) are the tablet, liquid and IV forms of an opioid analgesic used for control of moderate to severe pain. Dilaudid is available in generic form.

Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) is a combination drug consisting of an opioid and a pain reliever and fever reducer (analgesic and antipyretic) used for the management of moderate to severe pain, usually for an extended time period.

Dilaudid may interact with alcohol, other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing, buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, atropine, belladonna, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bladder or urinary medicines, bronchodilators, irritable bowel medicines, or ulcer medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Do not take Percocet if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

If you develop signs of allergy such as a rash or difficulty breathing stop taking Percocet and contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Do not take more than 4000 milligrams of acetaminophen per day. Call your doctor if you took more than the recommended dose.

Patients should be aware that Percocet tablets contain oxycodone, which is a morphinelike substance.

Patients should be instructed to keep Percocet tablets in a secure place out of the reach of children. In the case of accidental ingestions, emergency medical care should be sought immediately.

When Percocet tablets are no longer needed, the unused tablets should be destroyed by flushing down the toilet.

Patients should be advised not to adjust the medication dose themselves. Instead, they must consult with their prescribing physician.

Dilaudid is available in tablets in 8 mg strength, in liquid form in 5 mg strength per 5 ml of liquid, and Dilaudid Injection is available as sterile solution containing 1, 2, or 4 mg hydromorphone hydrochloride with 0.2% sodium citrate and 0.2% citric acid solution. Dosage of tablets usually begins at 2-4 mg every 4-6 hours; liquid begins at 2.5 mg (2.5 ml) every 3-6 hours and may be modified according to patient response and doctor's prescription. Dilaudid injection starting dose is 1-2 mg subcutaneously or intramuscularly every 4 to 6 hours as necessary for pain; it can also be given IV slowly over 2-3 min but respiration needs to be monitored.

Dosage should be adjusted according to the severity of the pain and the response of the patient. It may occasionally be necessary to exceed the usual dosage recommended below in cases of more severe pain or in those patients who have become tolerant to the analgesic effect of opioids. If pain is constant, the opioid analgesic should be given at regular intervals on an around-the-clock schedule. Percocet tablets are given orally.