Oxymorphone is a powerful semi-synthetic opioid analgesic first developed in Germany in 1914, patented in the USA by Endo Pharmaceuticals in 1955 and introduced to the United States market in January 1959 and other countries around the same time. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain. The extended-release form of this medication is for around-the-clock treatment of pain. Oxymorphone isconsidered a more potent opioid thanits parent compound, morphine.
Abstract
Oxymorphone is an opioid pain medication. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain. The extended-release form of this medication is for around-the-clock treatment of pain.
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Street Names
Blue Heaven
Blues
Mrs. O
New Blues
Octagons
Oranges
Orgasna
IR
OM
Pink
Pink Heaven
Pink Lady
Pink O
Stop Signs
The O Bomb
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Brand Names
Opana
Opana ER
Numorphan
Numorphan HCl
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History
Oxymorphone is a powerful semi-synthetic opioid analgesic first developed in Germany in 1914, patented in the USA by Endo Pharmaceuticals in 1955 and introduced to the United States market in January 1959 and other countries around the same time. It (along with hydromorphone) was designed to have less incidence of side effects than morphine and heroin. It was a success as it differs from morphine and heroin in its effects in that it generates less euphoria, sedation, itching and other histamine effects at equianalgesic doses. This also means a lower dependence liability. Oxymorphone isconsidered a more potent opioid thanits parent compound, morphine. It is more lipophilic than morphine and, thus, may more easily cross the blood-brain barrier because it differs from morphine having a ketone-group substituent at the C-6 position. Oxymorphone IR is indicated for the relief of moderate-to severe pain, while oxymorphone ER is indicated for persistent pain. Initial doses (opioid-naïve) are 10-20 mg every 4-6 hours (IR) and 5 mg every 12 hours (ER). Oxymorphone was found not to have any clinically significant cytochrome (CYP)3A4, CPY2C9, or CYP2D6 interactions, thus limiting its potential for causing some of the more common drug-drug interactions via the CYP450 system. The common adverse effects of oxymorphone are consistent with those commonly seen with other opioid, including nausea/vomiting, constipation, pruritis, pyrexia, somnolence, and sedation.
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Uses
Oxymorphone is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain. It acts on certain centers in the brain to give you pain relief. This medication is a narcotic pain reliever. Like other opiates, oxymorphone is being used as for recreational purpose. It has a high risk for abuse and severe, possibly fatal, breathing problems.
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Scheduling
It is a potent schedule II opioid analgesic drug with an abuse liability similar to morphine and other schedule II opioids
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Psychological and physical addiction liability
The possible are the Psychological and physical addiction liabilites of oxymorphone:
Hives
Difficulty in breathing
Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat
Shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
Feeling light-headed, fainting;
Confusion, fear, unusual thoughts or behavior;
Seizure (convulsions);
Problems with urination; or
Nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Long term effects
One of the long-term effects of oxymorphone is addiction that characterized by greater dependence on the drug and tolerance to the dosage. Tolerance to a drug means that you must take more and more of the medication to get the same early effect.
After long-term use of oxymorphone, men may also experience a decreased level of testosterone or enlargement of the prostate. Other long-term effects include excessive sweating, swelling in the arms and legs, and chronic constipation.
Because chronic use leads to tolerance and dependence, you may experience withdrawal symptoms if a prescription is reduced or stopped. These withdrawal symptoms can involve signs of central nervous system hyperactivity and will peak 48 to 72 hours after your last dose. Physical symptoms will be eliminated within a week but it may take longer to erase the psychological addiction.
Withdrawal from oxymorphone will begin with anxiety followed by an increased rate of breathing, runny nose, stomach cramps, tearing and sweating. Although withdrawal from oxymorphone is distressing it is not fatal.
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Physical effects
The physical effects of oxymorphone are as below:
Pain relief
Sedation
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Headache
Constipation
Sweating
Insomnia
Urinary retention
Miosis
Euphoria or dysphoria
Withdrawal Effects
Oxymorphone withdrawal symptoms can vary in intensity and may include:
Sweating
Insomnia
Shivering
Shakiness
Diarrhea
Goosebumps
Cravings for hydrocodone
Anxiety
Pain
Nausea
A runny nose.
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Pyschological treatment options
The pyschological treatment options for oxymorphone addiction involve:
Detox at addiction treatment centers, followed by counselling. Rehab centers often help addicted patients to learn to overcome the emotional issues that led them to addiction. Rehab also offers important tips and strategies for achieving relapse prevention. The main aim in the treatment for oxymorphone addiction is get rid of the symptoms that cause both physical as well psychological effects.
Medical Treatment options
The medical options are limited in that case. At times, using drugs that mimic oxymorphone may do the trick. This helps in oxymorphone detox, which will mitigate the pain and discomfort of withdrawal significantly. As medication is limited in combating oxymorphone addiction, psychological treatment options are often explored more.
The psychological treatment is generally carried out at rehab centers. About 10% of addicted patients have been successfully able to overcome this addiction without the rehab centers. The treatment involved detox followed by followed by counselling. Rehab centers provide guidelines, following which one may find it easy in preventing relapse.
Related Drugs
The drugs that are related to oxymorphone are:
Opium
Codeine
Heroin
Methadone
Fentanyl
Hydrocodone
Related Synthetics
The related synthetics to oxymorphone are:
fentanyl
buprenorphine
hydromorphone
methadone
opana
numorphan
numorphone
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References
[1] http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drugs_concern/oxymorphone.pdf
[2] http://www.drugs.com/ingredient/oxymorphone.html
[3] http://www.drugs.com/mtm/oxymorphone.html
[4] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16317569
[5] http://opioids.com/oxymorphone/clinical-pharmacology.html
[6] http://www.rxlist.com/opana-drug.htm
