Dilaudid (Hydromorphone) Street Prices

Dilaudid is the brand name for a prescription drug called hydromorphone. As an opioid analgesic (painkiller), it eases pain by attaching to opioid receptors throughout your body.

Like other opioids, Dilaudid has a high abuse potential. That’s why it’s often sold on the black market under street names like “dust,” “juice,” and “smack.” Hydromorphones street price depends on certain factors.

Dilaudid (Hydromorphone) Street Value & Cost

The street price of Dilaudid varies widely. A study published in the Journal of Pain found that the drug typically costs about $5 per milligram. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the average price of a 2mg Dilaudid tablet ranges between $5 and $100.

The drug’s exact price depends on the formulation and location.

Formulation

Dilaudid is available in 2 mg, 4 mg, and 8 mg tablets. In general, the higher the dosage, the higher the price.

Location

Like other drugs, Dilaudid usually costs less in big cities. That’s because cities tend to have higher supplies of street drugs, which generally leads to lower drug prices.

The Price Of Dilaudid Vs. The Price Of Other Prescription Opioids

In general, Dilaudid costs slightly more than other prescription opioids sold on the street, which include:

• buprenorphine (brand names Buprenex, Suboxone, and Subutex), which costs about $3 per milligram
• hydrocodone (Hysingla, Vicodin, and Zohydro ER), which costs about $1 per milligram
• methadone (Dolophine, Diskets, and Methadose), which costs about $1 per milligram
• oxycodone (Percocet, OxyContin, and Oxyado), which costs about $1 per milligram
• oxymorphone (Opana), which costs about $2 per milligram
• tramadol (Conzip, Ultram, and Qdolo), which costs about $0.10 per milligram

Risks Of Buying Dilaudid On The Street

No matter its price, Dilaudid is extremely dangerous when purchased on the street and abused.

Dilaudid abuse occurs when you use the drug in a manner not prescribed by your healthcare provider.

For example, you might:

• use it without a prescription
• use higher doses than prescribed
• use it more frequently than prescribed
• mix it with other drugs
• crush the pills and snort them

All of these behaviors pose serious health risks, including increased side effects, overdose, and addiction.

Increased Side Effects

When you abuse Dilaudid, you’re much more likely to experience the drug’s side effects.

Its most common side effects include:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• anxiety
• depression
• trouble sleeping
• dry mouth
• headache
• muscle, back, stomach, or joint pain
• sweating
• itchiness

The drug can also have more serious effects, including:

• trouble swallowing or breathing
• rash or hives
• swollen face, eyes, lips, mouth, tongue, throat, arms, hands, lower legs, feet, or ankles
• confusion
• hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there)
• seizures

If you or someone you know experiences these more serious effects, seek medical care immediately.

Overdose

Like other opioids, Dilaudid poses a high risk of overdose.

The most common symptoms of Dilaudid overdose include:

• cold, clammy skin
• change in pupil size
• sedation
• dizziness
• slow, shallow, or troubled breathing
• slow or stopped heartbeat
• loss of consciousness

Call 911 if you or someone you know experiences these symptoms. Also, administer naloxone (brand name Narcan) if you have it. This medication can rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It’s available at most pharmacies without a prescription.

When left untreated, a Dilaudid overdose can be fatal, especially if you bought it off the street. That’s because many drug dealers lace Dilaudid with fentanyl.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that’s 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. It’s been linked to numerous overdose deaths.

Addiction

Dilaudid abuse often leads to addiction, which is a serious disease that makes you feel unable to control your drug use.

Common symptoms of Dilaudid addiction include:

• feeling unable to stop using Dilaudid despite negative consequences
• experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety and vomiting, when you don’t use Dilaudid (also called physical dependence)
• needing increasingly higher or more frequent doses of Dilaudid to feel the desired effects (also called tolerance)
• losing interest in any activities that don’t involve Dilaudid

People who struggle with Dilaudid addiction should seek professional help at a substance abuse treatment program. Available on an inpatient or outpatient basis, these programs provide services like medical detox, mental health counseling, and medication-assisted treatment.

If you struggle with prescription drug abuse or another type of substance abuse, please contact Northeast Addictions Treatment Center. Our board-certified providers offer personalized, evidence-based care to help you stay healthy and drug-free.