Let's learn about Oxymorphone Extended-Release tablets for severe, long-lasting pain!

Do you struggle with chronic, unbearable pain that comes and goes? Maybe you've had a situation where other painkillers haven't worked, or you can't use them. That's when doctors think about this special painkiller called Oxymorphone. Let's talk about this in a little more detail, shall we?

What kind of drug is Oxymorphone?

Simply put, Oxymorphone is a prescription medication that is used to treat severe, ongoing pain . It is usually prescribed when other painkillers have not helped your pain, or if you cannot tolerate them. It works by blocking pain signals from reaching your brain. It belongs to a class of drugs called opioids . Most importantly, it is a long-acting medication. Therefore, it is not used for sudden pain.

Some of the common brand names for this medication are Opana and Opana ER.

This medicine may also be used for other purposes; if you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist .

What are the things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication?

Before you start taking Oxymorphone, there are some things you need to tell your care team about. These are important because they will determine if this medicine is right for you and how it should be given. See if these things apply to you:

• Do you have a brain tumor ?
• Do you have a history of drug abuse or addiction ?
• Have you had a head injury ?
• Do you have heart disease ?
• Are you a frequent drinker of alcohol ?
• Do you have kidney disease ?
• Do you have liver disease ?
• Do you have conditions such as lung disease, asthma, or breathing problems ?
• Are you having problems urinating?
• Do you have a medical condition such as seizures ?
• Do you have stomach or intestine problems ?
• Have you used an MAOI (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor) medication (e.g. Marplan, Nardil, Parnate) within the past 14 days ?
• Have you ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to Oxymorphone, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives?
• Are you pregnant or trying to get pregnant ? Or are you currently pregnant ?
• Are you a breastfeeding mother ?

How exactly do I use this medicine?

This is a very important part, because following these instructions is essential to get the full benefit of the medicine and avoid unnecessary problems.

• This pill should be taken with a glass of water.
• Follow the instructions on the prescription label given by your doctor.
• Swallow only one pill at a time.
• Do not wet the pill, soak it in water, or lick it with your tongue before taking it.
• This medicine should not be broken, crushed, or chewed. The tablet should be swallowed whole.
• This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach . That is, at least one hour before or two hours after a meal. Do not take this with food.
• Take your medicine at regular intervals and on time . Do not take more or more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.

Important: When you get this medicine from the pharmacy, you will be given a special MedGuide leaflet . You will receive this with every prescription and each time you get a refill. Be sure to read the information in this leaflet carefully each time.

Talk to your healthcare team about giving this medicine to children. Special care may be needed.

One more thing: This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.

What happens if you take too much? (Overdosage)

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call a poison control center or the nearest emergency room immediately. Don't waste time.

What do you do if you miss a medication appointment?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Never take a double dose or an extra dose.

Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)

When you take Oxymorphone, it can interact with some of the other things you are taking. So tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescription and over-the-counter), herbs, and dietary supplements you are taking, as well as if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some things can interact with this medicine.

Oxymorphone may interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Types of antihistamines for allergies, coughs, and colds
• Atropine
• Some medications for anxiety or sleep
• Some medications for bladder problems (e.g. oxybutynin, tolterodine)
• Some medications for depression (e.g. amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline)
• Some medications used for Parkinson's disease (e.g., benztropine, trihexyphenidyl)
• Some medications for seizures (e.g. phenobarbital, primidone)
• Some medications for stomach problems (e.g. dicyclomine, hyoscyamine)
• Some medications for travel sickness (e.g., scopolamine)
• General anesthetics (e.g., halothane, isoflurane, propofol)
• Ipratropium
• Local anesthetics (e.g. lidocaine, pramoxine, tetracaine)
• Medicines given to relax muscles during surgery
• Other narcotic painkillers or cough medicines
• Phenothiazines (e.g. chlorpromazine, thioridazine)

This list is not comprehensive, so it's best to tell your doctor everything you're taking.

What should you be careful about when using this medicine?

There are several things you need to pay attention to while using this medicine.

• If the pain does not subside:If your pain does not go away, or if it seems to be getting worse, or if you develop a new type of pain, tell your healthcare team right away.
• Tolerance: After taking this medication for a while, you may no longer need the same dose to relieve your pain. This means that your body has become accustomed to the medication (tolerance) . This is normal, especially if you have been taking this medication for a long time.
• Taking multiple types of the same medication: There are several types of opioids used to treat pain. If you take multiple types of opioids at the same time, you may have more side effects. Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking. They will tell you how much to take. Never take more than your doctor tells you to take.
• Difficulty breathing: If you have difficulty breathing , seek emergency treatment immediately.
• Stopping the medication suddenly: Do not stop taking this medication suddenly. Doing so may cause a severe reaction . This is because your body is getting used to the medication. This does not mean that you are addicted to the medication. Addiction is the behavior of obtaining and using a medication for a non-medical reason. If you are in pain, that is a medical reason to take a painkiller. Your medical team will tell you how much medication you need to take. If they want you to stop taking the medication, they will do so by slowly lowering the dose over time to reduce side effects.
• Know about Naloxone: Talk to your healthcare team about Naloxone and how to get it. Naloxone is an emergency medicine given in the event of an overdose of an opioid. Overdose can occur if you take too much of an opioid, or if you take it with other things like alcohol. Be aware of the symptoms of an overdose (such as trouble breathing, extreme tiredness or drowsiness, unresponsiveness to speech, or inability to wake up). Tell your caregivers and close friends where this medicine is . Also, teach them how to use it . After giving Naloxone, you should seek emergency medical attention immediately. Naloxone is a temporary treatment. It may be necessary to give repeated doses.
• Drowsiness or dizziness: You may feel drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires concentration until you know how this medicine affects you.Don't stand or sit up suddenly, especially if you are elderly. This can reduce the risk of dizziness and fainting.
• Alcohol: Alcohol may interfere with the effectiveness of this medication. Avoid drinking alcohol.
• Constipation: This medicine may cause constipation. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your healthcare team.
• Dry mouth: Your mouth may be dry. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking on sugarless hard candy, and drinking plenty of water can help. If this problem persists or becomes severe, tell your doctor .

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Like all medications, this one can cause some side effects. Some of them need to be reported to the doctor immediately, while others should only be reported if they persist.

Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately:

If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your healthcare team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Central nervous system depression (CNS depression): slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, trouble staying awake.
• Low adrenal gland function: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness.
• Low blood pressure: dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurred vision.

Side effects that usually do not require medical advice (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting

This list may not include all side effects. If you notice anything unusual, talk to your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

How should this medicine be stored? Let's also learn about safety!

This is a very important issue, because there is a high chance that this type of medication will be misused.

• Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• This medicine can be abused, so keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft.
• Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving this medicine to others is dangerous and against the law.
• Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius (59 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
• If this medicine is taken by other adults, children, or pets, it could harm them or even cause death.
• Take unused medication to an official disposal site. To find one, call the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) at 1-800-882-9539, or ask your city/local council.
• If you have no way to return the medication, flush it down the toilet.
• Do not use expired medicine.

Final Take-Home Message

Okay, so we've talked a lot about Oxymorphone, haven't we? While this medication can help with your severe, chronic pain, it's important to use it correctly and safely.

• Always follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Take the medicine exactly as prescribed, at the prescribed time, and in the prescribed amount.
• Be sure to tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have, any other medications you take, and your habits (such as drinking alcohol and smoking).
• Do not break, crush, or chew the medicine. Swallow it whole. Take on an empty stomach.
• Be aware of side effects. If you notice anything serious, tell your doctor immediately.
• Keep the medicine safe. Keep it out of reach of children and do not give it to anyone else.
• Do not stop taking the medicine suddenly. Reduce the dosage as directed by your doctor.
• Be aware of Naloxone and teach your family how to use it if necessary.

Please note that this article is for general information only. If you have any questions about this medication, it is best to talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider. We wish you a speedy recovery!

` Oxymorphone, painkillers, opioids, chronic pain, side effects, medications