- that what I am providing is NOT meant in any way to replace the conversation between you, your doctor, or your pharmacist
- please do not self-diagnose or make medical decisions about this drug without talking with qualified professionals
- the information provided here is the reference sheet you would find at WebMD. During my journey I found this site to be helpful in providing support. All credit for this information belongs to them. I copied it right from their website and I have removed the hyper-links. Please visit their site if you would like to read further.
For this installment, I have chosen Opana ER
GENERIC NAME(S): OXYMORPHONE HCL
Uses: Oxymorphone extended-release is used to help relieve severe ongoing pain. It belongs to a class of drugs known as long-acting narcotic (opioid) analgesics. It works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain.
**Please read this information carefully**
If you have any questions about what is provided here....talk with your doctor or pharmacist please.
GENERIC NAME(S): OXYMORPHONE HCL
Uses
Oxymorphone extended-release is used to help relieve severe ongoing pain. It belongs to a class of drugs known as long-acting narcotic (opioid) analgesics. It works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain.
Do not use the extended-release form of oxymorphone to relieve pain that is mild or that will go away in a few days. This medication is not for occasional ("as needed") use.
How to use Opana ER
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking oxymorphone extended-release and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication on a regular schedule as directed by your doctor, not as needed for sudden (breakthrough) pain.
Take this medication by mouth without food (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating) as directed by your doctor, usually every 12 hours. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not break, chew, dissolve, or crush them. Do not pre-soak, lick, or wet the tablets before putting them in your mouth. Take one tablet at a time with enough water to completely swallow the tablet. If you have nausea, ask your doctor or pharmacist about ways to decrease nausea (such as lying down for 1 to 2 hours with as little head movement as possible).
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed because your risk of side effects may increase. Properly stop the medication when so directed.
Before you start taking this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should stop or change the dose of your other narcotic medication(s). For added pain relief, your doctor may direct you to also take quick-acting narcotic or non-narcotic pain medications (such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen). Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about using oxymorphone extended-release safely with other drugs.
This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as restlessness, watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, sweating, muscle aches) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions right away.
When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.
Along with its benefits, this medication may rarely cause abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). This risk may be increased if you have abused alcohol or drugs in the past. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lessen the risk of addiction.
Tell your doctor if your pain persists or worsens.
Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, headache, constipation, dry mouth, mild itching, lightheadedness, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To prevent constipation, eat a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise. Consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a laxative (such as a stimulant type with stool softener).
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Sometimes a soft mass that looks like the tablet may appear in your stool. This effect is harmless because your body has already absorbed the medication.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations), stomach/abdominal pain, vision changes, slow/fast heartbeat, difficulty urinating, difficulty swallowing this medication (such as choking, gagging).
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: slow/shallow breathing, fainting, seizure, unusual drowsiness/difficulty waking up.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Side Effects List Opana ER
The following side effects are associated with Opana ER:
Common side effects of Opana ER:
· Blood Pressure Drop Upon Standing Severe
· Problems with Eyesight Severe
· Significant Decrease in Lung Function Severe
· Visible Water Retention Severe
· Abnormal Nervous System Function Affecting Mental Alertness Less Severe
· Abnormally Low Blood Pressure Less Severe
· Chronic Trouble Sleeping Less Severe
· Diarrhea Less Severe
· Dizzy Less Severe
· Drowsiness Less Severe
· Dry Mouth Less Severe
· Excessive Sweating Less Severe
· Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe
· Feeling Faint Less Severe
· Fever Less Severe
· Head Pain Less Severe
· Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements Less Severe
· Indigestion Less Severe
· Itching Less Severe
· Loss of Appetite Less Severe
· Low Energy Less Severe
· Nervous Less Severe
· Sluggishness Less Severe
· Stomach Cramps Less Severe
· Throwing Up Less Severe
· Weight Loss Less Severe
Infrequent side effects of Opana ER:
· Confused Severe
· Decreased Oxygen In The Tissues Or Blood Severe
· Fast Heartbeat Less Severe
· Gas Less Severe
· Swelling of the Abdomen Less Severe
Rare side effects of Opana ER:
· Allergic Reaction caused by a Drug Severe
· Blocked Bowels with No Movement Severe
· Blurred Vision Severe
· Cannot Empty Bladder Severe
· Decreased Pupil Size Severe
· Depression Severe
· Difficult or Painful Urination Severe
· Extreme Breathing Difficulty Severe
· Extreme Loss of Body Water Severe
· Hallucination Severe
· Heart Throbbing or Pounding Severe
· High Blood Pressure Severe
· Inflammation of Skin caused by an Allergy Severe
· Mental Impairment Severe
· Reaction due to an Allergy Severe
· Seizures Severe
· Slow Heartbeat Severe
· "Change of Life" Signs Less Severe
· Clammy Skin Less Severe
· Extreme Sense of Well Being Less Severe
· Feeling Restless Less Severe
· Feeling Unhappy or Unwell Less Severe
· Feeling Weak Less Severe
· Hives Less Severe
· Loss of Memory Less Severe
· Skin Inflammation Less Severe
· Temporary Redness of Face and Neck Less Severe
· Trouble Breathing Less Severe
Precautions
Before taking oxymorphone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other narcotic pain medications (such as codeine, morphine,oxycodone); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: brain disorders (such as head injury, tumor, seizures), breathing problems (such as asthma, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), gallbladder disease, kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood disorders (such as confusion, depression, thoughts of suicide), personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, stomach/intestinal problems (such as blockage, surgery, constipation, diarrhea due to infection, paralytic ileus), cancer of the esophagus or colon, difficulty swallowing, disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis), difficulty urinating (such as due to enlarged prostate).
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. (See also Warning section.)
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk and may rarely have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Tell the doctor right away if your baby develops unusual sleepiness, difficulty feeding, or trouble breathing. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: products that contain alcohol (such as cough-and-cold syrups), certain pain medications (mixed narcotic agonist-antagonists such as pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol), narcotic antagonists (such as naltrexone, naloxone).
The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also affect breathing or cause drowsiness. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as alcohol, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), and other narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine, oxycodone).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including amylase and lipase levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: slow/shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, loss of consciousness.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.
This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless your doctor directs you to do so. A different medication may be necessary in that case.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. See also Warning section.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. In the US, the FDA recommends flushing this medication down the toilet or pouring into a drain. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised June 2015. Copyright(c) 2015 First Databank, Inc.