Opana (Oxymorphone): Effective Pain Management at High Abuse Risk

Oxymorphone, also known as Opana, is a potent opioid painkiller that is prescribed to patients who need long-term opioid treatment for moderate to severe pain. Despite its effectiveness in managing pain, Opana has a high risk of abuse, dependence, and addiction, which has led to heightened regulatory scrutiny and, in certain markets, its eventual discontinuation.

What Is Opana?

• Generic Name: Oxymorphone

• Brand Name: Opana / Opana ER

• Drug Class: Opioid analgesic

• Form: Oral tablet (immediate-release and extended-release)

• Controlled Substance: Schedule II (U.S.)

Opana relieves pain rapidly and has about twice the potency of oxycodone. It is frequently used to treat post-operative pain, cancer-related pain, and chronic pain in patients who are opioid-tolerant.

How Opana Works

The semi-synthetic opioid oxymorphone, the active component of Opana, attaches itself to mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This has potent analgesic effects by blocking pain signals and changing how people feel pain.

Common Uses of Opana

• Management of moderate to severe pain

• Postoperative pain relief

• Chronic pain conditions in opioid-tolerant patients

• Palliative care (e.g., cancer pain)

Note: Concerns about injection abuse and the potential for bloodborne disease outbreaks led to the discontinuation of Opana ER (extended-release) in the United States.

Opana Dosage Guidelines

* In 2017, extended-release (ER) versions were taken off the American market.

Important: Patient history, pain intensity, and opioid tolerance all affect dosage. Always heed the advice of your doctor.

Side Effects of Opana

Common Side Effects:

• Nausea or vomiting

• Constipation

• Drowsiness

• Dry mouth

• Sweating

Serious Risks:

• Respiratory depression

• Severe hypotension

• Addiction, abuse, and misuse

• Withdrawal symptoms on abrupt discontinuation

• Overdose, especially when combined with alcohol or benzodiazepines

Opana and Abuse Risk

Widespread misuse of Opana ER, particularly crushing and injecting the tablets, caused thrombotic microangiopathy, hepatitis C, and HIV outbreaks.

The FDA asked Endo Pharmaceuticals, the drug’s manufacturer, to take Opana ER off the market in 2017 because the risks outweighed the advantages. In certain nations, immediate-release forms might still be accessible with a prescription.

Opana vs Oxycodone

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is Opana still available?
A: Because of the potential for abuse, Opana ER was withdrawn in the United States. Strict regulations may still require the prescription of certain immediate-release forms.

Q: Can Opana cause addiction?
A: Indeed. Opana, like all opioids, has a high potential for addiction, particularly when used improperly.

Q: How strong is Opana compared to morphine?
A: Opana requires careful dosage conversion because it is roughly two to three times more potent than morphine.

Q: Can you take Opana with other medications?
A: Not without a doctor’s oversight. It can be fatal to combine with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other CNS depressants.

Final Note

Oxymorphone, also known as Opana, is a potent analgesic with a complicated clinical usage history and abuse potential. Although it works well for treating extreme pain, there are serious risks, particularly when it comes to abuse. Never take opioids without a prescription, and always use them under strict medical supervision.

Seek assistance from a certified addiction specialist or treatment facility if you or someone you know is experiencing opioid use or dependence.