Opana (oxymorphone) is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.
Opana is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
The extended-release form of this medicine is for around-the-clock treatment of severe pain. Opana ER is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain.
Opana may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use Opana if you have severe asthma or breathing problems, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or moderate to severe liver disease.
Opana can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Do not crush, break, or open an extended-release pill (Opana ER). Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose.
Oxymorphone may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never share the medicine with another person. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICATION CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Oxymorphone may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in your newborn if you use the medication during pregnancy.
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with Opana.
Before using Opana
You should not take Opana if you are allergic to oxymorphone, or if you have:
-
severe asthma or breathing problems;
-
a blockage in your stomach or intestines; or
-
moderate to severe liver disease.
To make sure Opana is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
-
any type of breathing problem or lung disease;
-
a history of head injury, brain tumor, or seizures;
-
a history of drug abuse, alcohol addiction, or mental illness;
-
urination problems;
-
liver or kidney problems; or
-
problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid.
Opana may be habit forming. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away Opana to any other person is against the law.
It is not known whether Opana will harm an unborn baby. If you use oxymorphone while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It is not known whether oxymorphone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use Opana?
Take Opana exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Opana can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take Opana in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Opana may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICATION CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away Opana to any other person is against the law.
Always check your bottle to make sure you have received the correct pills (same brand and type) of medicine prescribed by your doctor. Ask the pharmacist if you have any questions about the medicine you receive at the pharmacy.
Stop taking all other around-the-clock narcotic pain medications when you start taking Opana.
Take Opana on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Do not crush, break, or open an extended-release pill. Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose.
Some forms of Opana are made with ingredients that are not absorbed in the body. Part of the tablet may appear in your stool. This is a normal side effect and will not make the medication less effective.
Do not stop using Opana suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medicine.
Never crush or break a Opana tablet to inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death with the misuse of oxymorphone and similar prescription drugs.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Oxymorphone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Do not keep leftover Opana tablets. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush any unused tablets down the toilet. Disposal of medicines by flushing is recommended to reduce the danger of accidental overdose causing death. This advice applies to a very small number of medicines only. The FDA, working with the manufacturer, has determined this method to be the most appropriate route of disposal and presents the least risk to human safety.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Opana is sometimes taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A oxymorphone overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, muscle weakness, confusion, cold and clammy skin, pinpoint pupils, shallow breathing, slow heart rate, fainting, or coma.
What should I avoid?
Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death can occur when alcohol is combined with oxymorphone. Check your food and medicine labels to be sure these products do not contain alcohol.
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how Opana will affect you. Dizziness or severe drowsiness can cause falls or other accidents.
Opana side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction to Opana: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
-
a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
-
seizure (convulsions);
-
fever, chills, cough with yellow or green mucus;
-
stabbing chest pain, wheezing, feeling short of breath; or
-
severe vomiting.
Oxymorphone is more likely to cause breathing problems in older adults and people who are severely ill, malnourished, or otherwise debilitated.
Common Opana side effects may include:
-
stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea;
-
dizziness, drowsiness, headache, tired feeling;
-
dry mouth, increased sweating;
-
sleep problems (insomnia); or
-
mild rash or itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Opana?
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor before taking Opana with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
Other drugs may interact with oxymorphone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
