If you’re like most people, you might assume that the question “How long does Dilaudid stay in your system?” is only relevant to those anticipating a drug test. Make no mistake—anyone taking this powerful drug should know the answer to it.
Even though Dilaudid may seem like a godsend for those suffering from pain, it can be very dangerous. Learning more about it—and especially knowing how long Dilaudid stays in your system—can help you reduce some risks associated with it, such as opioid overdose and dangerous drug interactions.
This article will provide you with the key information regarding the elimination of Dilaudid, including the factors that influence it.
What Is Dilaudid?
Dilaudid, or hydromorphone hydrochloride, is a prescription opioid derived from morphine that is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain, typically when it cannot be controlled with non-opioid pain relievers.
Dilaudid is a semi-synthetic opioid 7–10 times more potent than morphine. It is available in tablets and oral solutions and is also marketed under the brand names Exalgo® and Palladone®. As a generic drug, Dilaudid is also available in other forms, such as injections and rectal suppositories.
Due to its high potential for opioid abuse, dependence, and addiction, Dilaudid is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance. Despite the dangers associated with it, it remains a popular street drug, with Smack, D, and Dillies being some of its most common street names.
Hydromorphone was prescribed to more than 1.2 million Americans in 2021. In that year, over 190,000 Americans over 12 misused Dilaudid and other hydromorphone products.
To reduce the risk of becoming dependent on Dilaudid and developing an opioid use disorder (OUD), you should always take your medication as prescribed. Prolonged use increases the risk of opioid dependence. For this reason, it is generally not recommended to take Dilaudid for long-term pain management.
How Does Dilaudid Affect Your Body?
Dilaudid affects the body by attaching to the opioid receptors located in the central nervous system (CNS). It alters one’s perception of pain by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain. It starts to work within half an hour following administration, with effects lasting for four hours on average.
However, the onset and duration of its effects also depend on various individual factors, such as your Dilaudid dosage and metabolism.
Like other opioids, Dilaudid can induce euphoria and deep relaxation by triggering dopamine release. It can also cause various side effects, some of which may require medical attention.
Some common side effects of Dilaudid include:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Itchy skin
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
- Reduced appetite
- Difficulty breathing
Dilaudid Half-Life
Dilaudid’s half-life is short, as half a dose will be cleared from your system within around 2–3 hours following ingestion. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean it only takes five hours for your body to remove it; Dilaudid can stay in your system much longer.
On that note, let’s move on to “How long does Dilaudid stay in your system?” and discuss its detection windows for different drug tests.
How Long Does Dilaudid Stay in Your System?
Dilaudid stays in your system for around 15 hours, as it takes roughly five half-lives for the body to break it down and eliminate it. However, some drug tests may detect it for days or even months after the last dose.
Here’s how long Dilaudid stays in blood, hair, saliva, and urine:
How Long Does Dilaudid Stay in Blood?
Dilaudid stays in the blood and can be detected in blood samples for up to 24 hours after the last dose. Since blood tests have the shortest Dilaudid detection window, they are typically performed to detect same-day hydromorphone use.
How Long Does Dilaudid Stay in Hair?
Dilaudid stays in hair follicles for up to 90 days, which means hair tests can detect it even if you took your last dose three months ago. These tests are usually conducted to test for long-term Dilaudid use and abuse.
How Long Does Dilaudid Stay in Saliva?
Dilaudid stays in saliva for an average of 48 hours after the last dose. However, in some instances, traces of hydromorphone may be detected in saliva samples for up to four days following ingestion.
How Long Does Dilaudid Stay in Urine?
Dilaudid stays in urine and can show up in urine samples for about three days after the last use. Urine drug tests are often the preferred method for detecting drugs, including opioids, due to their ease of sampling and cost-effectiveness.
Factors That Determine How Long Dilaudid Stays in Your System
The factors that determine how long Dilaudid stays in your system include metabolism, the extent of Dilaudid use, and drug interactions.
Let’s discuss the key factors that affect how quickly your body processes and eliminates opioids in greater detail:
- Age. Age can impact how long Dilaudid stays in your system, as people’s metabolism tends to slow down with age. As such, older people will generally need more time to clear Dilaudid than younger ones.
- Metabolism. The faster your metabolic rate is, the quicker your body will break down and flush out Dilaudid. Because of this, your diet, physical activity, and body composition can also impact how long Dilaudid stays in your system.
- Organ health. Liver and kidney problems can hinder your body’s ability to metabolize and eliminate opioids, causing Dilaudid to stay in the system for a longer time.
- Drug interactions. Dilaudid can interact with various prescription medications, illicit drugs, and even herbal medicines, prolonging the drug elimination time.
- Extent of Dilaudid use. The amount, duration, and frequency of opioid use are major factors in determining how long Dilaudid stays in your system. Taking it in large doses, frequently, or for an extended time can also increase the risk of opioid dependence and addiction. Worse yet, it makes you more vulnerable to opioid toxicity and overdose.
These factors can also impact the onset and duration of Dilaudid withdrawal symptoms.
Dilaudid Withdrawal Symptoms
Dilaudid withdrawal symptoms are a set of symptoms people dependent on this drug experience once they attempt to quit it, especially when they do so abruptly. They typically set in within the first 12 hours after the last dose and last around two weeks, though some people continue to struggle with cravings and other psychological symptoms for months and even years.
The most common Dilaudid withdrawal symptoms are:
- Fever
- Apathy
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Irritability
- Sweating
- Depression
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Mood swings
- Dilated pupils
- Muscle aches
- Opioid cravings
- Sleep disturbances
Quitting Dilaudid “cold turkey” is not recommended under any circumstances, as it increases the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms.
Not only can this lead to life-threatening complications like dehydration, but it also increases the risk of relapse and opioid overdose. Those who relapse may overdose simply by taking their usual dose of Dilaudid. If not treated promptly, an opioid overdose can be deadly. For this reason, you should never quit Dilaudid without medical supervision.
Dilaudid Addiction vs. Dilaudid Dependence
Dilaudid addiction and Dilaudid dependence are among the greatest dangers that anyone taking this medication faces. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they describe two distinct conditions that may or may not co-occur.
If you take Dilaudid for a prolonged time, your body will build up tolerance due to the increased production of opioid receptors. Simply put, you will eventually stop feeling the drug’s effects without increasing your Dilaudid dosage.
Tolerance is a sign of opioid dependence, which is physical. People dependent on Dilaudid have to take it to function normally, as the absence of the drug induces uncomfortable opioid withdrawal symptoms.
If left untreated, Dilaudid dependence can develop into an addiction, which is largely psychological and makes it nearly impossible for people to control their opioid use. Sadly, people addicted to Dilaudid continue taking it despite the negative consequences, be they health problems, relationship difficulties, or legal issues.
Importantly, prescription drug addiction puts you at a greater risk of a potentially fatal opioid overdose and can make you more likely to use illicit drugs. According to SAMHSA, more than 79% of heroin users have previously misused prescription opioids. Getting professional treatment for opioid addiction and dependence is vital to your well-being.
ANR Opioid Dependence Treatment
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is an exceptionally safe, fast, and effective opioid dependence treatment that can help you overcome Dilaudid dependence in a matter of days.
ANR is the first and only opioid dependence treatment that re-regulates the endorphin-receptor system, repairing the damage opioids cause to the brain. By bringing the brain back to its pre-addiction state, the ANR treatment facilitates long-term recovery, negates withdrawal symptoms, and allows you to forget the fear of relapse.
ANR is carried out in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals by highly experienced and compassionate board-certified medical professionals, making it very safe. The average hospital stay for ANR patients lasts only 36 hours.
Furthermore, ANR is tailored to each patient’s needs and medical history. Therefore, it can be safely performed even on those with co-occurring medical conditions, such as heart disease.
Ready to leave opioids behind? Contact us today for a free consultation!
Key Takeaways
There is no simple answer to the question “How long does Dilaudid stay in your system?” because various individual factors may impact this. However, for most people, it will take more or less 15 hours to excrete it. Still, this doesn’t mean drug tests won’t detect it after that.
Before you go, let’s go over the key points we covered today:
- Dilaudid (hydromorphone hydrochloride) is a potent morphine derivative prescribed to manage moderate-to-severe pain resistant to non-opioid painkillers.
- Dilaudid starts working within 30 minutes after ingestion and relieves pain for about four hours.
- Age, metabolic rate, liver and kidney function, and the extent of hydromorphone use are among the key factors that determine how long Dilaudid stays in your system.
How Long Does Dilaudid Stay in Your System FAQ
It takes around 15 hours to get Dilaudid out of your system. However, your metabolism, age, and extent of opioid use, among other individual factors, can impact how long Dilaudid stays in your body.
Dilaudid shows up on drug tests used to detect opioids. The detection window for Dilaudid depends on the specific test performed; blood tests have the shortest detection window (up to 24 hours), whereas hair follicle tests have the longest one (up to 90 days).
Dilaudid is primarily eliminated from the body through the urine after being metabolized in the liver through glucuronidation.
After taking Dilaudid, you may feel drowsy, lightheaded, and relaxed. Though pain relief is the primary effect of hydromorphone, you may also experience feelings of euphoria after taking this medication. Always take Dilaudid as prescribed to minimize the likelihood of side effects and reduce the risk of opioid dependence, addiction, and overdose.
Dilaudid can be up to 10 times stronger than morphine. However, morphine typically provides pain relief for a longer time than Dilaudid.
