rxstat › Shortages › Hydromorphone
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Jurnista) shortage status
Partial shortage
A strong opioid pain medication used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
Shortage history
Reports by product
What's happening
Hydromorphone is currently affected by 3 active shortage reports filed with Health Canada by APOTEX INC, PURDUE PHARMA, STERIMAX INC.
The reported causes are: disruption of the manufacture of the drug; demand increase for the drug. Manufacturers must report shortages, but end-date estimates are their own projections and often move.
If your usual product is affected, a pharmacist is the fastest route to a solution: they can dispense an unaffected manufacturer's equivalent when one exists, and in most provinces can adapt doses or substitute a therapeutic alternative without a new appointment.
Hydromorphone is classified under “OPIOIDS” (ATC N02AA).
Recent changes
- Sep 25, 2026 Shortage resolved
- Sep 25, 2026 Shortage resolved
- Sep 25, 2026 Shortage resolved
- Sep 25, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Sep 25, 2026 → Oct 2, 2026
- Sep 18, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Sep 18, 2026 → Sep 25, 2026
- Sep 18, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Sep 18, 2026 → Sep 25, 2026
- Sep 18, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Sep 18, 2026 → Sep 25, 2026
- Sep 18, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Sep 18, 2026 → Sep 25, 2026
- Sep 15, 2026 Shortage resolved
- Aug 31, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Aug 28, 2026 → Sep 3, 2026
- Aug 31, 2026 Shortage resolved
- Aug 27, 2026 Estimated end date moved earlier : Oct 9, 2026 → Sep 18, 2026
- Aug 27, 2026 Estimated end date moved earlier : Oct 9, 2026 → Sep 18, 2026
- Aug 27, 2026 Estimated end date moved earlier : Oct 9, 2026 → Sep 18, 2026
- Aug 27, 2026 Status changed
- Aug 27, 2026 Estimated end date moved earlier : Oct 9, 2026 → Sep 18, 2026
- Aug 26, 2026 Shortage resolved
- Aug 24, 2026 Estimated end date moved earlier : Aug 31, 2026 → Aug 28, 2026
- Aug 24, 2026 Status changed
- Aug 24, 2026 Estimated end date pushed back : Aug 21, 2026 → Aug 27, 2026
Common questions
What is Hydromorphone used for?
A strong opioid pain medication used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
When will Hydromorphone be back in stock in Canada?
The latest manufacturer estimate is Nov 30, 2026. Estimates are self-reported and often slip; this page updates automatically when they change.
Why is Hydromorphone in shortage?
See the reports above; manufacturers must state a reason (most commonly manufacturing disruption or a surge in demand) when filing with Health Canada.
What can my pharmacist do about it?
Often quite a lot: substitute an equivalent product from an unaffected manufacturer, adjust quantities, or in most provinces adapt or renew prescriptions on the spot. Call your pharmacy before visiting, and call 811 for free health advice.
Email alerts
Possible alternatives in the same class (opioids)
Data reflects reports manufacturers are legally required to file with Health Canada, republished with per-drug aggregation by rxstat. Estimated end dates are supplied by manufacturers and frequently change. This page describes drug supply only and is not medical advice; never stop or switch a medication without speaking to your pharmacist or prescriber.