What is oxymorphone? An opioid commonly prescribed for chronic pain management. Binding to and activating receptors in the brain and spinal cord, these medications affect feelings of pleasure and pain. At the same time, blocking chronic pain, large amounts of dopamine surge, increasing the experience of pleasure. Unfortunately, while designed to treat the massive problem in America of chronic pain, opioids are highly addictive.
What is Oxymorphone?
What is oxymorphone? Oxymorphone is an opioid medication prescribed for pain but commonly abused and produced under the brand Opana. Challenged by the FDA in 2017 because of the severe addiction problems throughout Florida, it continues to be a problem. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reported that in 2019, prescription opioids were responsible for 16,706 overdose deaths.
Even the lowest dosage of oxymorphone can be troublesome and lead to addiction. Prescriptions include tablets to take every four to six hours when experiencing pain; this can differ for each individual. Oxymorphone is a highly addictive opioid and narcotic analgesic. Marketed as Opana to treat disabling pain, the adverse consequences are commonly opioid addiction.
What is oxymorphone’s most common side effect? Oxymorphone combined with alcohol can induce severe, life-threatening side effects. Mixing other substances or drugs can be deadly as well. Warnings are marked by severe breathing difficulties as one of the main side effects, even taken as directed within the first seventy-two hours of the first dose.
Is Oxymorphone Addictive?
Oxymorphone produces an intense feeling of euphoria. Naturally, this drives the user to crave that feeling again and again. Wiping out the pain and producing euphoria is the perfect combination for addiction. Oxymorphone is perhaps one of the most addictive opioids made.
The following steps occur as oxymorphone usage becomes addictive:
- Tolerance: Regular usage of an addictive substance leads to tolerance. Tolerance occurs when the body becomes accustomed to the dosage and no longer produces the same effect. As a result, the user takes more than the prescribed dosage, which is very harmful and can lead to an overdose.
- Dependence: When the user’s body and brain require the drug to function normally, addiction could begin. When the user experiences withdrawal symptoms when they reduce or stop taking the medication – they are dependent.
- Addiction: After physical dependence, psychological dependence follows. Addiction is becoming an issue, and although the user knows the danger, they cannot stop.
Those with a family history of addiction may want to reconsider using Opana. Co-occurring mental health disorders are a secondary consideration that could lead users to addiction should they begin taking Opana. So what is oxymorphone for people with this history and condition? It is a recipe for abuse, addiction, and possibly a dangerous overdose.
Those who take oxymorphone without a prescription are at significant risk as well. Crushing, snorting, chewing, or injecting the dissolved tablets are ways this drug is used when abused. In addition, overdose can come from respiratory failure. Finally, an overdose can be quick and fatal. Opana ER is another form of what is oxymorphone and has been removed from the market due to the opioid crisis.
Impax began manufacturing Opana ER, but the Federal Trade Commission filed a suit stating that the agreement between Endo and Impax violated antitrust laws by eliminating competition. Impax removed the product from the market once this occurred.
The FDA is very concerned about oxymorphone and the high percentage of opioid deaths from overdose on this drug.
Signs and Symptoms of Oxymorphone Misuse
It is vital to take all opioid medications by the prescription dosage and directions ordered by the doctor. Only the patient prescribed the medication should be taking the drug. Always contact the doctor if you feel your tolerance levels are changing and if you feel dependent it is imperative to seek help. The following are signs and symptoms of oxymorphone misuse or addiction.
Signs of oxymorphone addiction may include any or some of these signs:
- Feeling like you need more than the prescribed dosage to get relief from pain
- Running out of the medication before the scheduled timeline
- Thinking about the effects of the medication often and wondering what would happen if you took more
- Feelings of anxiety, irritability, or anger when not using the drug
- Searching for another source of the drug to take more
- Cravings and intense thoughts about the drug you can’t ignore
- Doctor shopping – getting multiple prescriptions from different doctors
Those finding themselves experiencing any of these indicators or signs, need to reach out for addiction help. Contacting the prescribing physician for help is advisable. The sooner you reach out for help, you decrease the possibility of overdose or death. Treatment is available to those who want to stop using.
Find Help for Oxymorphone Addiction in Atlanta, GA
If you are prescribed oxymorphone or a loved one is taking it and many of the misuse or addiction symptoms sound like your behaviors and thinking, reach out now. Oxymorphone addiction is very dangerous and even deadly if an overdose occurs. Retreat of Atlanta is an experienced treatment center offering medical detox programs and inpatient treatment for opioid addiction. We want to help you or your loved one. Contact us now for more information.
