What Is Oxymorphone (ok-si-mawr-fohn)?
Oxymorphone is a drug prescribed by doctors to treat moderate to severe pain. The drug is often a measure of last resort, as doctors may try other methods to help control pain before turning to oxymorphone. Oxymorphone is in the opiate analgesics class of drugs. This is a schedule II narcotic, trade names are Opana® and Numorphan®.
This type of drug called a semi-synthetic opiate is derived from compounds found in the poppy plant. This is an opioid a term referring to drugs that are chemically synthesized to mimic the physical effects of pain relief seen with opiates such as morphine or heroin.
Similar to oxycodone, this drug is addictive and works on the opioid receptors in the brain. Fever and confusion of a greater degree are seen with Oxymorphone. The oxycodone extended-release tablets or capsules. are usually more concentrated so more caution is needed.
Oxymorphone has serious interactions with many different drugs. Use with caution only under a prescription from a physician. Your doctor should know what other drugs you take when prescribing Oxymorphone. Taking this drug illegally with other drugs can be very dangerous.
Uses Of Oxymorphon
Oxymorphone is typically prescribed in tablet form. Patients are often instructed to take this medication on an empty stomach at least an hour before a meal. Patients will then continue to take the drug throughout the day as prescribed, meaning they must be diligent about timing their meals around the times in which they take their medication. Because it could carry potentially severe side effects, patients should take the drug precisely as prescribed by their doctor.
If an individual takes too much oxymorphone at one time, there could be life-threatening consequences. That’s why your doctor will work with you to find a dosage that manages your pain. Your doctor will likely start you on a low dose and then increase the dosage until you find the proper amount to control your pain. You should only adjust the dosage under careful doctor supervision. You should never alter the dosage without first consulting a medical professional.
Similarly, cutting oxymorphone immediately could increase the likelihood that you suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Instead of cutting directly, you should work with your doctor to decrease the dosage and come down from the drug gradually. Failure to do so could put you at risk to suffer from symptoms such as sweating, muscle pain, back pain, joint pain, chills, irritability, weakness, anxiety, disrupted sleep cycles, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, and fast breathing.
Effects Of Oxymorphone
Oxymorphone is a drug that is quite sensitive to other drugs and medications. Failure to tell your doctor about other medicines that you’re taking could have a host of adverse effects on your body. This is one of the main reasons why oxymorphone is a dangerous street drug because people do not understand the way it interacts with other substances and the lasting effect that it could have. Users should never mix oxymorphone with materials such as:
- Oxycodone
- Codeine
- Hydrocodone
Additionally, oxymorphone may not react well to other over-the-counter medications, supplements, or vitamins. Things that you may think are harmless, such as antihistamines or diuretics, could have a detrimental impact on your health. If you take oxymorphone with other drugs or medications, you could increase your risk of blockages in your stomach or intestines or liver disease. Oxymorphone could also decrease fertility rates in both men and women.
Oxymorphone should also never be mixed with alcohol. If your doctor is considering prescribing you oxymorphone, you should inform him or her if alcoholism runs in your family or if you’ve suffered from the disease. The same goes for any family history of using recreational street drugs or abusing prescription medications. Lastly, you should inform your doctor if depression or other types of mental illness are prevalent in your family.
If you have ever suffered from slow breathing or asthma, you should communicate this to your doctor as well. Your doctor will likely advise that you do not take oxymorphone because of how it could affect your breathing. Similarly, you should tell your doctor if you have ever suffered from lung disease or sleep apnea. It’s clear that oxymorphone needs to be taken under a doctor’s supervision. People should never take the drug recreationally, as the results could be devastating.
Symptoms Of Oxymorphone
Some of the most common symptoms of oxymorphone are drowsiness, lightheadedness, and dizziness. These symptoms appear to be much more exaggerated when someone is getting up from a lying position. Additionally, oxymorphone could cause dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, excessive sweating, a fast heartbeat, red eyes, a headache, feelings of anxiousness or confusion, itching, flushing, and stomach swelling.
The drug can also cause a host of severe side effects as well. If you have taken oxymorphone and experience any of these side effects, you should call a trusted medical professional immediately. These symptoms include agitation, fever, hallucinations, shivering, severe muscle stiffness, muscle twitching, loss of coordination, and uncontrollable diarrhea.
There are many other severe side effects, such as the inability to maintain an erection, a decreased sexual desire, or irregular menstruation. Users could also suffer seizures or have difficulty breathing or swallowing. There could also be swelling of the hands, face, lips, tongue, and throat. Changes in heartbeat and fainting are two other symptoms from which users can suffer. All of these could have long-term implications if not treated immediately.
Testing For Oxymorphone
If you are a parent or employer looking oxymorphone drug test, you will need to order an extended opiate or opioid panel. Unfortunately, the most common version of these panels does not test for oxymorphone. However, by requesting an extended panel, it should be easy to secure an oxymorphone drug test. Be sure to double-check that the test includes an oxymorphone drug test before purchasing.
An oxymorphone drug test can include a hair or urine sample. Urine samples will indicate whether someone has used the drug within the past two days. If the individual being tested is a chronic user, the detection period could be even longer.
For a urine test for oxymorphone, we recommend the 5 Panel with Expanded Opiates Urine Drug Test which includes AMP-Amphetamines (MAMP-Methamphetamine, MDMA-Ecstasy), COC-Cocaine, PCP-Phencyclidine, THC-Marijuana, OPI-Opiates (including heroin, codeine and morphine) and expanded Opiates which adds Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone and Oxymorphone. Order Now online or call 866-843-4545.
Hair samples, however, will yield evidence of long-term use. That’s because evidence of oxymorphone abuse stays in the hair for up to 90 days, if not longer. Users will need to provide a 1.5” hair sample for this to be the case. The hair sample can come from anywhere on the body, not just the scalp.
For a hair specimen test for oxymorphone, we recommend the Hair Drug Test 5 Panel Expanded Opiates which includes Cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines (Methamphetamine & Ecstasy), phencyclidine (PCP), opiates (Codeine, Morphine & 6-MAM Heroin Metabolite, Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Hydrocodone, and Hydromorphone). Hair is cut from the head or from the arms or legs if you don’t have enough hair on your head. Order Now online or call 866-843-4545.
Lab based oral fluid testing is also an option for employers for the oxymorphone drug test. This is typically self-collect by the employer representative. Oral fluid testing is relatively new but could still prove to be effective. When conducting a urine test, it will take a couple of hours after ingestion for the test to show positive. But when conducting a saliva test, evidence of recent usage is nearly immediate. Oral fluid tests will show positive for up to 36 hours after oxymorphone use.
No matter if you’re an employer looking to screen your employees or a family member concerned about a loved one, ordering an oxymorphone drug test is an excellent way to provide an answer so that you can begin figuring out a treatment program moving forward.
