Opana Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Opana Tablet (oxymorphone) is an opioid pain medication, sometimes called a narcotic, used to treat moderate to severe pain when other pain treatments are not strong enough or cannot be tolerated. The Opana brand name has been discontinued in the U.S., but generic oxymorphone tablets and extended-release tablets are still available. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system to block pain signals. It must be used exactly as prescribed due to serious risks, including dependence, overdose, and dangerous breathing effects.

What is Opana Tablet

Opana is an opioid pain medication, sometimes called a narcotic. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain when other pain treatments are not strong enough or cannot be tolerated. The Opana brand name has been discontinued in the U.S., but generic oxymorphone tablets and extended-release tablets are still available.

Opana Tablet uses

• Treats moderate to severe pain
• Opana ER (extended-release) is for around-the-clock treatment of pain and should not be used on an as-needed basis

Benefits of Opana Tablet

• Provides effective pain relief when non-narcotic pain medicines fail

How Opana Tablet works

Opana binds to specific opioid receptors in the central nervous system to block pain signals from reaching the brain.

Opana Tablet dosage

Take Opana exactly as prescribed by your doctor and follow the directions on your prescription label. Never use it in larger amounts or for longer than prescribed.

Stop using all other around-the-clock opioid pain medications when you start taking Opana.

Take Opana on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, and take the medicine at the same times each day.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, chew, break, or dissolve it, since this can lead to a fatal overdose.

Take only one extended-release tablet at a time. Do not lick or wet the tablet before placing it in your mouth, to avoid choking.

Never crush or break a tablet to inhale the powder or dissolve it to inject, as this can cause death.

Do not stop using Opana suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using it.

If you miss a dose, skip it if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Extended-release tablet

Side effects of Opana Tablet

Common

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Increased sweating

Serious

• Weak or shallow breathing, or breathing that stops
• A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
• Seizure (convulsions)
• Chest pain, wheezing, cough with yellow or green mucus
• Severe vomiting
• High serotonin levels: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Low cortisol levels: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness
• Allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use Opana if you have severe asthma or breathing problems, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or moderate to severe liver disease.
• Oxymorphone can slow or stop your breathing and may be habit-forming. Misusing Opana can cause addiction, overdose, or death, especially in a child or someone using the medicine without a prescription.
• Never share Opana with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication where others cannot get to it.
• Do not stop using Opana suddenly after long-term use, as this could cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using it.
• Taking Opana during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Babies born dependent on opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks.
• Ask a doctor before using Opana if you are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you notice severe drowsiness or slow breathing in the nursing baby.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before taking Opana.
• You should not use Opana if you have moderate to severe liver disease. Tell your doctor about any liver problems before taking it.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Opana. Fatal side effects can occur if you use Opana with alcohol.
• Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine affects you, since dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Keep track of your medicine and be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.

Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush the unused medicine down the toilet.

When to see a doctor

Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

A caregiver should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical help if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue-colored lips, or are hard to wake up.

Call your doctor right away if you have weak or shallow breathing, breathing that stops, a light-headed feeling like you might pass out, seizures, chest pain, wheezing, cough with yellow or green mucus, severe vomiting, signs of high serotonin levels, or signs of low cortisol levels.

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, or no breathing.

Alternatives

• Hydromorphone
• Oxycodone
• Buprenorphine