hydromorphone hydrochloride / Generic mfg. - LARVOL DELTA

Human Laboratory Analysis of Ovarian Hormone Influence on Opioid Drug Effects in Healthy Participants (Neuroscience 2026) - "These data provide an initial evaluation of the relationship between ovarian hormones and hydromorphone-induced effects in humans. Future studies should evaluate similar responses in clinical populations and under greater dose-effect conditions towards the goal of informing treatment approaches for OUD and the use of opioids in co-morbid conditions, like chronic pain."

Clinical • CNS Disorders • Substance Abuse

A Diagnostic Odyssey: Chronic Epigastric Pain, Recurrent Troponinemia, and an Unexpected Monoclonal Light Chain Process in a 69-Year-Old Woman (ACG 2026) - "Case Description/ A 69 year old female with past medical history of chronic opioid therapy (hydromorphone) for cervical spinal fusion, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and remote history of breast cancer in remission presented with three months of chronic epigastric pain...Figure: Figure 1: Echocardiogram in the parasternal long-axis view -- demonstrates severe interventricular septal hypertrophy (1.9 cm), with preserved left ventricular cavity size and normal ejection fraction. This is suggestive of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy."

Clinical • Amyloidosis • Breast Cancer • Cardiomyopathy • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease • Dyspepsia • Gastroenterology • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease • Gastrointestinal Disorder • Hypertension • Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy • Immunology • Inflammatory Arthritis • Leukopenia • Lupus • Monoclonal Gammopathy • Pain • Peptic Ulcer • Peripheral Neuropathic Pain • Pulmonary Disease • Respiratory Diseases • Solid Tumor

No-PAIN: NSAID Use After Robotic Partial Nephrectomy (clinicaltrials.gov) - P2 | N=110 | Recruiting | Sponsor: University of Miami | Trial completion date: Sep 2026 ➔ Dec 2026

Trial completion date • Genito-urinary Cancer • Kidney Cancer • Oncology • Pain • Renal Cell Carcinoma • Solid Tumor

EASE-TAR: Epidural Analgesia Versus Opioid-sparing Analgesia for Open Ventral Hernia Repair With Transversus Abdominis Release (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=40 | Recruiting | Sponsor: Northwestern University

New P4 trial • Gastroenterology • Pain

Bilateral Sphenopalatine Ganglion Blocks in Adult Tonsillectomy and Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty: A Matched Retrospective Cohort Study (AAO-HNSF 2026) - "SPG block patients trended toward higher non-opioid analgesic use including acetaminophen (p=0.12), celecoxib (p=0.17), and gabapentin (p=0.10). There was no significant difference in hydromorphone, fentanyl, oxycodone, or morphine requirements between groups... SPG blocks in adults undergoing sleep surgery were safe and associated with trends toward increased non-opioid analgesic use. While immediate PACU pain scores did not differ, fewer block patients reported uncontrolled postoperative pain and/or required opioid refills after discharge, suggesting that SPG blocks may provide longer-lasting benefit beyond the immediate postoperative period."

Retrospective data

Association of Gestational Maternal Medications and Microtia Incidence (AAO-HNSF 2026) - "Several opioids were positively associated with microtia, including morphine (1.35, 95% CI: 1.28-1.42) and hydromorphone (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.06 – 1.24). Betamethasone (OR 1.63, 95% CI: 1.51-1.76), metoclopramide (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.18-1.32), ondansetron (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03 – 1.17), gabapentin (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.05 – 1.44) and nitrofuran derivatives (OR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.05 – 1.23) were also associated with higher microtia incidence. Fluoxetine (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.53 – 0.83), doxylamine (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.70 – 0.85), lamotrigine (OR: 0.57, 95% CI: 0.39 – 0.83), hydrocodone (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.85 – 0.96), oxycodone (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.84 – 0.96), and fentanyl (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.73 – 0.83) were associated with lower odds of microtia incidence... This analysis suggests several gestational medications associated with increased odds of microtia in patients. Further clinical investigation is warranted to differentiate between maternal conditions and environmental..."

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of epidural hydromorphone for analgesia in radical esophagectomy (ChiCTR) - P=N/A | N=190 | Not yet recruiting | Sponsor: Zhejiang Cancer Hospital; Zhejiang Cancer Hospital

New trial • Esophageal Cancer • Oncology

ACUTE COR PULMONALE AND HEMODYNAMIC COLLAPSE DUE TO INTRAVASCULAR INJECTION OF CRUSHED HYDROMORPHONE TABLETS TREATED WITH INHALED PULMONARY VASODILATORS AND INOTROPES (CHEST 2026) - No abstract available

Critical care

Effects of hydromorphone and dexmedetomidine on diaphragmatic function in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving noninvasive ventilation. (PubMed, Monaldi Arch Chest Dis) - "The findings suggest that HM may better preserve diaphragmatic function during NIV in AECOPD. Although HM was well tolerated, clinicians should remain cautious regarding potential drug accumulation and avoid prolonged administration."

Journal • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease • CNS Disorders • Depression • Hypotension • Immunology • Pain • Psychiatry • Pulmonary Disease • Respiratory Diseases

Multimodal Analgesia Effect on Post Surgical Patient (clinicaltrials.gov) - P4 | N=60 | Completed | Sponsor: University of California, Davis | Active, not recruiting ➔ Completed

Trial completion • Genetic Disorders • Obesity

SAP-01 (Scientific Abstract Presentation) - Abuse Potential Assessment of Cebranopadol, a Novel Dual Nociceptin (NOP) and Mu Opioid (MOP) Receptor (NMR) Agonist: Implications for Scheduling (PAINWeek 2026) - "Results In the drug discrimination procedure, cebranopadol showed dose-dependent generalization to morphine; however, effects were antagonized by naloxone (MOP antagonist) and enhanced by J-11397 (NOP antagonist), indicating NOP activity reduces its MOP agonist properties...In recreational opioid users, cebranopadol at doses up to 2.5 times the anticipated maximum therapeutic dose showed lower abuse potential compared with Schedule II (hydromorphone, oxycodone) and Schedule IV (tramadol) opioids...The primary driver of cebranopadol’s differentiated abuse potential profile is believed to be its unique dual NOP/MOP receptor agonist mechanism. Thus, cebranopadol shows promise for effective pain relief (acute and chronic ) with a better safety profile regarding abuse and dependence than selective MOP agonists."

Addiction (Opioid and Alcohol) • CNS Disorders

Abuse Potential Assessment of Cebranopadol, a Novel Dual Nociceptin (NOP) and Mu Opioid (MOP) Receptor (NMR) Agonist: Implications for Scheduling (PAINWeek 2026) - "In recreational opioid users, cebranopadol at doses up to 2.5 times the anticipated maximum therapeutic dose showed lower abuse potential compared with Schedule II (hydromorphone, oxycodone) and Schedule IV (tramadol) opioids. In the drug discrimination procedure, cebranopadol showed dose-dependent generalization to morphine; however, effects were antagonized by naloxone (MOP antagonist) and enhanced by J-11397 (NOP antagonist), indicating NOP activity reduces its MOP agonist properties. Cebranopadol was self-administered in rodents, but had significantly lower reinforcing efficacy compared with pure MOP agonists. Cebranopadol showed weak physical dependence potential in precipitated and spontaneous withdrawal studies."

Addiction (Opioid and Alcohol) • CNS Disorders

Outpatient subcutaneous opioid administration for severe cancer pain (PAINWeek 2026) - "Patients were given either morphine or hydromorphone. A total of 24 patients were included in our results. In aggregate, patients reported a pain score reduction of 4.46 on a 10 point scale (P-value 2.58E-12). Eleven patients reported 2-4 points of improved pain on the scale, and thirteen patients reported 5+ points of improved pain."

Clinical • CNS Disorders • Pain

Global Patterns of Opioid Analgesic Prescribing: a Cross-National Comparative Analysis (PAINWeek 2026) - "Germany demonstrated a distinctive pattern in which tilidine, a prodrug opioid analgesic with limited international availability, ranked among the most commonly prescribed opioids along with tramadol, reflecting both regulatory specificity and prescribing culture...In Japan, a culturally conservative prescribing environment has historically limited opioid utilization, with morphine and transdermal fentanyl predominantly reserved for cancer pain and palliative indications; this has resulted in comparatively low per-capita opioid consumption, but also documented undertreatment of pain in non-cancer populations... The United States exhibited the highest per-capita opioid prescribing of any nation, with hydrocodone and oxycodone the most dispensed opioid analgesics. Canada similarly exhibited high per-capita opioid consumption, with oxycodone and hydromorphone predominating. In Western Europe, prescribing patterns diverged considerably from North American norms."

Clinical • CNS Disorders

Oliceridine versus Hydromorphone for Postoperative Analgesia: Interpreting the PONV Signal and the Limitations of Resting Pain as a Primary Endpoint [Response to Letter]. (PubMed, Drug Des Devel Ther) - No abstract available

Journal • Pain

Morphine versus hydromorphone pharmacokinetic vs. pharmacodynamic variabilities. (PubMed, Ann Transl Med) - No abstract available

Journal • PK/PD data

Opioid Dispensing Volume and Per-Patient Intensity in Sickle Cell Disease. (PubMed, JAMA Netw Open) - "Analyses included 6 opioids (hydromorphone, hydrocodone, morphine, tramadol, oxycodone, methadone) stratified by insurance type (commercial vs Medicaid). Among individuals with SCD, total opioid dispensing increased or stabilized during 2021 to 2023 after prior declines, most prominently among Medicaid beneficiaries, without broad increases in per-recipient frequency, duration, or dose. These patterns are consistent with broader distribution of opioid dispensing rather than treatment intensification among recipients."

Journal • Retrospective data • Genetic Disorders • Hematological Disorders • Pain • Sickle Cell Disease

Choice of initial opioid for continuous infusions in patients receiving mechanical ventilation: a retrospective cohort study. (PubMed, Can J Anaesth) - "Across 20 ICUs in Alberta, Canada, there were temporal changes and significant inter-ICU variability in opioid-prescribing practices for patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Further research is warranted to explore drivers of such substantial inter-ICU variability and associations between opioid selection and clinical outcomes to support evidence-based guidelines."

Journal • Retrospective data • Critical care

Available Evidence on Hydromorphone for Oncological Pain Management in Older Adults: A Systematic Review. (PubMed, J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother) - "Routine clinical use requires caution. High-quality, randomized controlled trials are needed to guide clinical decision-making."

Journal • Review • Oncology • Pain

Oliceridine Versus Hydromorphone for Postoperative Analgesia: Interpreting the PONV Signal and the Limitations of Resting Pain as a Primary Endpoint [Letter]. (PubMed, Drug Des Devel Ther) - No abstract available

Journal • Pain

Sequential surrogate optimization for supercritical fluid extraction - Supercritical fluid chromatography - Tandem mass spectrometry method development. (PubMed, Anal Chim Acta) - "Analytes, specifically reserpine, vigabatrin, hydromorphone, and hydrocodone, covering diverse physicochemical profiles, were optimized sequentially, guided by a molecular similarity metric, to broaden the design space. Sensitivity analysis over 62.5-1000 ng mL-1 yielded detection limits/quantification limits of 6.9/23.0 and 2.4/8.1 ng mL-1 for hydrocodone and reserpine, respectively. Sequential optimization enhanced sensitivity by 15%, demonstrating the scalability and transferability of the surrogate optimization framework for developing SFE-SFC methods."

Journal

Formulary access to key cancer supportive care medications in U.S. Medicare: Coverage, utilization management, and standardized monthly cost trends (MASCC-ISOO 2026) - "Methods Using Medicare-Part-D formularies from 2019Q1–2025Q1, we performed a descriptive trend study evaluating 23 common supportive care drugs/dose forms spanning antiemetics, opioid and opioid-adjacent analgesics, and common adjuvant symptom agents (e.g., duloxetine, pregabalin), based on NCCN guidelines. In antiemetics, ondansetron 4 mg (tablet/ODT) had 100% coverage but high prior authorization (73.32%), and granisetron 1 mg had PA 89.62% despite low monthly cost (~$16).Opioid access stratified into three patterns:(1) short-acting generics were predominantly quantity-limit (QL) restricted with minimal PA (oxycodone 5 mg and hydromorphone 2 mg: ~95% QL; 0.90% PA; ~$28–$29/month); (2) long-acting regimens were more often PA-gated (fentanyl transdermal PA 49.25%, ~$108/month; methadone 5 mg PA 44.06%, ~$19/month); and(3) novel/brand opioids concentrated high costs and formulary exclusion (tapentadol IR 0.70% coverage, ~$1,494/month; tapentadol ER 1.02%, ~$761/month;..."

Medicare • Reimbursement • US reimbursement • Oncology

Individualized Opioid Titration for Complex Symptom Management in Terminally Ill Cancer Patients Receiving Home Hospice Care: A Prospective Cohort Study. (PubMed, Am J Hosp Palliat Care) - "Morphine was the most frequently prescribed opioid (70.4%), followed by hydromorphone (22.2%) and oxycodone (7.1%). Ketamine was required in only 11 patients (2.2%).ConclusionsTerminally ill cancer patients receiving home hospice care showed marked interindividual variability in opioid requirements. These findings support repeated bedside assessment and individualized opioid titration rather than predetermined dose limits or primary cancer site as the cornerstone of patient-centered symptom management."

Journal • Oncology • Pain • Palliative care

Management of Labor Pain in the Setting of Acute Pancreatitis (ASA 2026) - "Primary cesarean section was performed, requiring combined spinal-epidural for inadequate level with epidural in situ. Post-operative course significant for transfer to MICU for management of pancreatitis, including dilaudid PCA, insulin gtt, and fenofibrate."

Dyslipidemia • Hypertriglyceridemia • Musculoskeletal Pain • Pain • Pancreatitis

Use of Hydroxycobalamin for Refractory Vasoplegic Shock in the Surgical Critical Care Setting (ASA 2026) - "However, it was avoided due to increased risk of serotonin syndrome in the setting of concurrent SSRI and hydromorphone use. Hydroxycobalamin was administered, resulting in a reduction in norepinephrine requirements from 0.3 to 0.03 mcg/kg/min over three days. Following stabilization, the patient successfully underwent transplantation, highlighting the potential role of hydroxycobalamin as an adjunctive vasopressor in refractory vasodilatory shock."

Critical care • Fibrosis • Hepatology • Immunology