EXALGO vs HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

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

Attribute	EXALGO	HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE
Rating	70/100	44/100
Pharmacy pays	$0.57 /mL	$0.57 /mL
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE	HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Specgx LLC	Hospira
Dosage forms	Tablet, extended release	Suppository, Tablet
Drug class	Opioid Agonist	Opioid Agonist
Boxed warning	None	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

exalgo hydromorphone hydrochloride

Rating

70/100

44/100

Pharmacy pays

$0.57 /mL

Type

Active ingredient

HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Specgx LLC

Hospira

Dosage forms

Tablet, extended release

Suppository, Tablet

Drug class

Opioid Agonist

Boxed warning

None

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, Exalgo or Hydromorphone Hydrochloride?

By our independent rating, Exalgo scores higher — 3.5 vs 2.2 out of 5 for Hydromorphone Hydrochloride. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Exalgo 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 Exalgo and Hydromorphone Hydrochloride?

Both Exalgo 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.