rxstat › Shortages › Hydromorphone

Hydromorphone shortage status

Partial shortage

Source: Health Canada shortage reports · Updated Jul 9, 2026

Some Hydromorphone products are in shortage in Canada (8 of 51 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 Oct 9, 2026.
Products affected
8 of 51
In shortage since
Apr 14, 2026
Est. full return
Oct 9, 2026
Reports on file
188
Talk to your pharmacist. Pharmacists can often substitute another manufacturer's version, a different strength, or (in most provinces) adapt or renew a prescription on the spot. Your free provincial health line is 811.

Reports by product

Active shortage
PMS-HYDROMORPHONE TAB 8MG
8MG · TABLET · PHARMASCIENCE INC
DIN 00885428 · since Jul 7, 2026, est. end Jul 21, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Active shortage
PMS-HYDROMORPHONE TAB 4MG
4MG · TABLET · PHARMASCIENCE INC
DIN 00885401 · since Jul 7, 2026, est. end Sep 15, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Active shortage
PMS-HYDROMORPHONE TAB 1MG
1MG · TABLET · PHARMASCIENCE INC
DIN 00885444 · since Jun 26, 2026, est. end Aug 18, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Active shortage
PMS-HYDROMORPHONE TAB 2MG
2MG · TABLET · PHARMASCIENCE INC
DIN 00885436 · since Jun 26, 2026, est. end Sep 4, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Active shortage
DILAUDID
1MG · TABLET · PURDUE PHARMA
DIN 00705438 · since Jul 6, 2026, est. end Jul 22, 2026 · Demand increase for 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
APO-HYDROMORPHONE
2MG · TABLET · APOTEX INC
DIN 02364123 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
HYDROMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION USP
1MG · SOLUTION · SANDOZ CANADA INCORPORATED
DIN 02514435 · ended Mar 30, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
APO-HYDROMORPHONE
8MG · TABLET · APOTEX INC
DIN 02364158 · ended Mar 19, 2026 · Disruption of the manufacture of the drug.
Resolved
APO-HYDROMORPHONE
8MG · TABLET · APOTEX INC
DIN 02364158 · ended Feb 19, 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 8 active shortage reports filed with Health Canada by PHARMASCIENCE INC, PURDUE PHARMA, APOTEX 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

Common questions

When will Hydromorphone be back in stock in Canada?

The latest manufacturer estimate is Oct 9, 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.

Related drugs (opioids)

Widespread shortageButalbital Acetylsalicylic Acid Codeine Caffeine2 of 4 reported products affected · est. return Jul 20, 2026Widespread shortageMethocarbamol Codeine Acetylsalicylic Acid4 of 5 reported products affected · est. return Oct 10, 2022Partial shortageAcetaminophen Oxycodone2 of 9 reported products affected · est. return Aug 20, 2026Partial shortageCaffeine Acetaminophen Codeine2 of 11 reported products affected · est. return Dec 31, 2020Partial shortageMorphine4 of 53 reported products affected · est. return Jul 10, 2026Partial shortageOxycodone2 of 35 reported products affected · est. return Jul 24, 2026

All opioids shortage statuses →

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.