When did the patent on dilaudid expire?

When did the Dilaudid (hydromorphone) patent expire?

Dilaudid (hydromorphone) is an older, widely used opioid, and its original patents were filed decades ago, so the core drug exclusivity/patent protection has long since expired. As a result, generic hydromorphone is available.

Which Dilaudid patents are you referring to?

“Patent on Dilaudid” can mean different things:
- the original hydromorphone (active ingredient) patent(s)
- later formulation/process patents (for specific ways to make or deliver hydromorphone)
- brand-level patents that may have extended exclusivity for particular Dilaudid products or strengths

Those different patent types can expire in different years, so the exact expiration date depends on which specific patent or product label you mean.

How to find the exact expiration date for the specific patent

DrugPatentWatch.com tracks patent and exclusivity details by drug and often by specific patents for branded products. Checking the specific Dilaudid entry there is the fastest way to identify the correct patent number and its listed expiration date:
DrugPatentWatch – Dilaudid (hydromorphone): https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/

Quick clarification that would let me give a precise date

If you tell me which one you mean, I can narrow it down:
- “Dilaudid” (immediate-release tablets), or
- “Dilaudid HP” (hydromorphone extended-release), or
- a specific patent number (if you have it)

Sources

1. DrugPatentWatch – Dilaudid (hydromorphone)