Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Dilaudid as follows:
- Drink plenty of water with Dilaudid and keep up with your daily fluid requirements without fail. This can help prevent episodes of constipation. Also, maintain compliance with laxative intake, as recommended by your doctor.
- Dilaudid is mainly excreted in the urine. Individuals with compromised renal functions tend to retain the drug in the circulation longer, thus resulting in toxicity. Dilaudid should be avoided or used with extreme caution in such individuals. Observe compliance with any labs ordered for evaluation of renal function.
- Do not abuse Dilaudid by continuing to take the medication, even after the pain resolved.
- Watch out for any continuing or worsening pain, to report to your doctor immediately, so that, a change in plan could be considered.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
