DILAUDID vs HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 21, 2026·How we rate

Attribute	DILAUDID	HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE
Rating	68/100	44/100
Pharmacy pays	$0.57 /mL	$0.57 /mL
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE	HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Fresenius Kabi USA	Hospira
Dosage forms	Injectable, Solution, Tablet	Suppository, Tablet
Drug class	Opioid Agonist	Opioid Agonist
Boxed warning	Boxed warning	Boxed warning
Half-life	about 2.3 hours (terminal elimination half-life after an intravenous dose); after an oral dose the label reports a mean T½ of about 2.6 hours for the 8 mg tablet and 2.8 hours for the oral liquid	about 2.3 hours (terminal elimination half-life after an intravenous dose); after an oral dose the label reports a mean T½ of about 2.6 hours for the 8 mg tablet and 2.8 hours for the oral liquid
Treats	Cough, Postoperative Pain	Cough, Postoperative Pain

dilaudid hydromorphone hydrochloride

Rating

68/100

44/100

Pharmacy pays

$0.57 /mL

Type

Active ingredient

HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Fresenius Kabi USA

Hospira

Dosage forms

Injectable, Solution, Tablet

Suppository, Tablet

Drug class

Opioid Agonist

Boxed warning

Half-life

about 2.3 hours (terminal elimination half-life after an intravenous dose); after an oral dose the label reports a mean T½ of about 2.6 hours for the 8 mg tablet and 2.8 hours for the oral liquid

Treats

Cough, Postoperative Pain

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Dilaudid or Hydromorphone Hydrochloride?

By our independent rating, Dilaudid scores higher — 3.4 vs 2.2 out of 5 for Hydromorphone Hydrochloride. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Dilaudid or Hydromorphone Hydrochloride?

Pharmacies pay about the same to acquire either one — roughly $0.57 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. That is not what you will be charged: your price is set by your insurer and the pharmacy, not by what the drug cost them.

What is the difference between Dilaudid and Hydromorphone Hydrochloride?

Both Dilaudid and Hydromorphone Hydrochloride share the active ingredient Hydromorphone Hydrochloride.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.