Hydromorphone DescriptionHydromorphone, also known as dihydromorphinone, and sold under the brand name Dilaudid among others, is an opioid used to treat moderate to severe pain. Typically, long-term use is only recommended for pain due to cancer. It may be used by mouth or by injection into a vein, muscle, or under the skin. Other names: Dihydromorphinone Elimination half-life: 2–3 hours Bioavailability: By mouth: 30–35%, Intranasal: 52–58% IV/IM:100% Onset of action: 15 to 30 min Duration of action: 4 to 5 hrs Metabolism: Liver Formula: C17H19NO3