Hydromorphone belongs to a class of drugs called “opioids,” which includes morphine. It has an analgesic potency of two to eight times greater than that of morphine and has a rapid onset of action.
Drugs that have similar effects include: Heroin, morphine, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and oxycodone.
Hydromorphone is a Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substances Act with an accepted medical use as a pain reliever.
Hydromorphone has a high potential for abuse and use may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
Pill with imprint M 8 is White, Three-sided and has been identified as Hydromorphone Hydrochloride 8 mg. It is supplied by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals. Hydromorphone is used in the treatment of chronic pain; pain; cough; anesthetic adjunct and belongs to the drug class narcotic analgesics. Numerous incidents of counterfeit pills White, three-sided with the M 8 logo have surfaced in Canada beginning in 2020. Isotonitazene, a controlled substance, was found in the pills.