Dexamethasone Intensol and Hydromorphone Hydrochloride

• Generic Name: dexamethasone
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Baycadron, Dexamethasone Intensol, DexPak 10 Day Taperpak, DexPak 13 DayTaperpak, DexPak 6 DayTaperpak, De-Sone LA, Dexacen-4, Dexasone, Dexasone LA, Solurex, Solurex LA, Decadron, DexPak, TaperDex, Zema-Pak, ZoDex, Zonacort

Dexamethasone Intensol is a steroid that prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.

Dexamethasone Intensol is used to treat many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or breathing disorders.

Dexamethasone Intensol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: hydromorphone
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Dilaudid, Exalgo, Hydrostat IR, Dilaudid-HP

A strong analgesic used in the relief of moderate to severe pain.

Usually, temporary relief of moderate to severe pain such as that associated with acute and some chronic medical disorders including renal or biliary colic, acute trauma, postoperative pain, and cancer.

Used to provide analgesia during diagnostic and orthopedic procedures.

Highly concentrated (10-mg/mL) injection is used for relief of moderate to severe pain in opiate-tolerant patients requiring large doses for adequate pain relief (see Boxed Warning); smaller volume may be injected IM or sub-Q, and discomfort of larger volumes avoided.

In symptomatic treatment of acute pain, reserve opiate analgesics for pain resulting from severe injuries, severe medical conditions, or surgical procedures, or when nonopiate alternatives for relieving pain and restoring function are expected to be ineffective or are contraindicated. Use smallest effective dosage for shortest possible duration since long-term opiate use often begins with treatment of acute pain. Optimize concomitant use of other appropriate therapies. (See Managing Opiate Therapy for Acute Pain under Dosage and Administration.)

For relief of malignant (cancer) pain and chronic nonmalignant pain.

Extended-release tablets are used orally for management of moderate to severe pain in opiate-tolerant patients who require a continuous, around-the-clock analgesic for an extended period of time; do not use on an as-needed (“prn”) basis. (See Boxed Warning.)

In the management of severe, chronic pain associated with a terminal illness such as cancer, the principal goal of analgesic therapy is to make the patient relatively pain-free while maintaining as good a quality of life as possible.

Although consideration of the dependence potential of opiate agonists has often limited their effective use by many clinicians in terminally ill patients with severe, chronic pain, such consideration is irrelevant in the context of terminal illness.

Generally use opiates for management of chronic pain (i.e., pain lasting >3 months or past the time of normal tissue healing ) that is not associated with active cancer treatment, palliative care, or end-of-life care only if other appropriate nonpharmacologic and nonopiate pharmacologic strategies have been ineffective and expected benefits for both pain relief and functional improvement are anticipated to outweigh risks.

If used for chronic pain, opiate analgesics should be part of an integrated approach that also includes appropriate nonpharmacologic modalities (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, biofeedback, functional restoration, exercise therapy, certain interventional procedures) and other appropriate pharmacologic therapies (e.g., nonopiate analgesics, analgesic adjuncts such as selected anticonvulsants and antidepressants for certain neuropathic pain conditions).

Available evidence insufficient to determine whether long-term opiate therapy for chronic pain results in sustained pain relief or improvements in function and quality of life or is superior to other pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic treatments. Use is associated with serious risks (e.g., opiate use disorder, overdose). (See Managing Opiate Therapy for Chronic Noncancer Pain under Dosage and Administration.)