Correction Notice: The Nurse's Drug Guide 2006 Reference
(3/15/2007)
The Nurse’s Drug Guide 2006 Reference contains incorrect information regarding administration of DILAUDID (hydromorphone).
On page 815 indicate that the dosing ranges for DILAUDID (hydromorphone) are the same for oral, subcutaneous, IM, and IV routes of administration.
This is incorrect.
The usual oral dose in opioid-naïve patients is 2-4 mg every 3 or 6 hours as needed for pain; parenteral doses are typically one-fifth of oral doses, or 0.2-0.6 mg every 2 to 3 hours.
The same error occurred in the 2007 edition of this text. The publisher for the handbook has been notified and has forwarded the information to the appropriate editors for correction in the 2008 edition.
