Health Centres - Palladone SR
How does it work?
Palladone SR capsules contain the active ingredient hydromorphone hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called an opioid analgesic (painkiller). It is related to morphine.
Opioid painkillers work by mimicking the action of naturally occurring pain-reducing chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins are found in the brain and spinal cord and reduce pain by combining with opioid receptors.
Hydromorphone mimicks the action of natural endorphins by combining with the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This blocks the transmission of pain signals sent by the nerves to the brain. Therefore, even though the cause of the pain may remain, less pain is actually felt.
Hydromorphone is used to relieve severe pain caused by cancer.
Palladone SR capsules are sustained-release capsules. They are designed to release the hydromorphone slowly and continuously over a few hours. This provides prolonged pain relief, so these capsules are taken every 12 hours.
What is it used for?
- Severe pain in cancer
Warning!
- This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.
- If this medicine is taken for prolonged periods of time, the body can become tolerant to it and it may become less effective at relieving pain. This means that with time, higher doses may be needed to control pain. With prolonged use the body may also become dependent on the medicine. As a result, withdrawal symptoms can occur if the medicine is stopped suddenly. For this reason, when a person no longer needs this medicine it may be necessary to reduce treatment gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Use with caution in
- Weak or debilitated people
- Decreased kidney function
- Severe breathing difficulties
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Asthma
- Mental and behavioural disorder caused by a toxic substance (toxic psychosis)
- Serious medical condition caused by withdrawal from alcohol (delirium tremens)
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
- Insufficient production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands (adrenal insufficiency)
- Reduced blood flow to vital internal organs (shock)
- Enlarged prostate gland
- People who have recently had surgery, particularly abdominal surgery
- Constipation
Not to be used in
- The first 24 hours following surgery
- The 4 hours before surgery on the spinal cord (cordotomy) or other pain relieving surgical procedures
- Children under 12 years of age
- Decreased liver function
- Slow, shallow breathing resulting in low levels of oxygen and high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood (respiratory depression)
- Coma
- Emergency condition caused by damage to one or more of the organs in the abdomen following injury or disease (acute abdomen)
- Failure of function of part of the gut causing an obstruction in the intestines (paralytic ileus)
- Head injury
- Increased pressure in the brain (raised intracranial pressure)
- Convulsive disorders such as epilepsy
- Alcohol intoxication (acute alcoholism)
- People who have taken monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the last 14 days
-
Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine should not be used during pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester, as it may have harmful effects on the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine may pass into breast milk. The manufacturer recommends that it should not be used during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Label warnings
- This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.
© Copyright 1998 - 2008 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved 
Font size
Mail
My account
Help
Community
Print now
Send to a friend
Related articles
Related products
