rxstat › Shortages › Hydromorphone

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Jurnista) shortage status

Partial shortage

Source: Health Canada shortage reports · Updated Aug 12, 2026

Also sold as: Dilaudid, Jurnista, Dilaudid Hp

Some Hydromorphone products are in shortage in Canada (6 of 52 reported products), while others remain available. Your pharmacy may be able to substitute an unaffected manufacturer. The latest estimate for affected products to return is Nov 30, 2026.

A strong opioid pain medication used to relieve moderate to severe pain.

Products affected
6 / 52
In shortage since
Apr 14, 2026
Est. full return
Nov 30, 2026
Reports on file
195
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Shortage history

2023 2024 2025 2026

Shortage history (red bands = periods in shortage).

Reports by product

The DIN is printed on your prescription label.

Active shortage
HYDROMORPH CONTIN
4.5MG · CAPSULE (SUSTAINED-RELEASE) · PURDUE PHARMA
DIN 02359502 · since Aug 11, 2026, est. end Aug 26, 2026 · Delay in shipping of the drug.
Active shortage
DILAUDID
2MG · TABLET · PURDUE PHARMA
DIN 00125083 · since Aug 10, 2026, est. end Oct 19, 2026 · Demand increase for the drug.
Active shortage
HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION HP 50
50MG · SOLUTION · STERIMAX INC
DIN 02469413 · since Jul 31, 2026, est. end Nov 30, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Active shortage
APO-HYDROMORPHONE
8MG · TABLET · APOTEX INC
DIN 02364158 · since Apr 14, 2026, est. end Oct 9, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Active shortage
APO-HYDROMORPHONE
4MG · TABLET · APOTEX INC
DIN 02364131 · since Apr 29, 2026, est. end Oct 9, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Active shortage
APO-HYDROMORPHONE
1MG · TABLET · APOTEX INC
DIN 02364115 · since May 4, 2026, est. end Oct 9, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Anticipated
DILAUDID
1MG · TABLET · PURDUE PHARMA
DIN 00705438 · Demand increase for the drug.
Anticipated
APO-HYDROMORPHONE
2MG · TABLET · APOTEX INC
DIN 02364123 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
PMS-HYDROMORPHONE TAB 1MG
1MG · TABLET · PHARMASCIENCE INC
DIN 00885444 · ended Aug 7, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
PMS-HYDROMORPHONE TAB 2MG
2MG · TABLET · PHARMASCIENCE INC
DIN 00885436 · ended Aug 5, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
PMS-HYDROMORPHONE TAB 8MG
8MG · TABLET · PHARMASCIENCE INC
DIN 00885428 · ended Jul 28, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
PMS-HYDROMORPHONE TAB 4MG
4MG · TABLET · PHARMASCIENCE INC
DIN 00885401 · ended Jul 28, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.

Showing 12 of 60 reports. All reports are on file with Health Canada.

What's happening

Hydromorphone is currently affected by 6 active shortage reports filed with Health Canada by PURDUE PHARMA, STERIMAX INC, APOTEX INC.

The reported causes are: delay in shipping of the drug; demand increase for the drug; disruption of the manufacture of 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

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.

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Possible alternatives in the same class (opioids)

Drugs in the same therapeutic class, best-supplied first. These are not automatic substitutes: only your pharmacist or prescriber can judge whether a switch makes sense for you.

Acetylsalicylic Acid Oxycodone No current shortage Codeine Acetaminophen (Tylenol) No current shortage Methocarbamol Acetaminophen Codeine (Spasmhalt-8) No current shortage Tapentadol (Nucynta Extended-Release) No current shortage Tramadol (Zytram Xl) No current shortage Acetaminophen Oxycodone (Rivacocet) Partial shortage 2 of 9 reported products affected · est. return Aug 20, 2026

Guides: what to do when your medication is in shortage · how to read shortage reports

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.