Oxymorphone Hydrochloride (4 brand names, 4 dosage forms, 3 routes)
Available dosage forms: TABLET, TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE, SUPPOSITORY, INJECTABLE.
Routes of administration: ORAL, RECTAL, INJECTION.
Brand Names
- NUMORPHAN
- OPANA
- OPANA ER
- OXYMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE
Boxed Warning
WARNING: SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF OXYMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. Life-threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets, especially during initiation or following a dose increase. To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets are essential [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Accidental Ingestion Accidental ingestion of even one dose of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of oxymorphone [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Risks From Concomitant Use With Benzodiazepines Or Other CNS Depressants Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3), Drug Interactions (7)]. Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS) Advise pregnant women using opioids for an extended period of time of the risk of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, which may be life threatening if not recognized and treated. Ensure that management by neonatology experts will be available at delivery [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]. Opioid Analgesic Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Healthcare providers are stron
Indications and Usage
Oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets is indicated for the management of acute pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Limitations of Use Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, overdose and death which can occur at any dosage or duration and persist over the course of therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)], reserve opioid analgesics, including oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are ineffective, not tolerated, or would be otherwise inadequate to provide sufficient management of pain.
Contraindications
Oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in patients with: Significant respiratory depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or in the absence of resuscitative equipment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)] Known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11)] Hypersensitivity to oxymorphone (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema) or [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7), Adverse Reactions (6)] Moderate or severe hepatic impairment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15)].
Warnings and Precautions
Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets contains oxymorphone, a Schedule II controlled substance. As an opioid, oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets exposes users to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse [see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9)]. Although the risk of addiction in any individual is unknown, it can occur in patients appropriately prescribed oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets. Addiction can occur at recommended dosages and if the drug is misused or abused. The risk of opioid-related overdose or overdose-related death is increased with higher opioid doses, and this risk persists over the course of therapy. In postmarketing studies, addiction, abuse, misuse, and fatal and non-fatal opioid overdose were observed in patients with long-term opioid use [see Adverse Reactions (6)]. Assess each patient’s risk for opioid addiction, abuse, or misuse prior to prescribing oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets, and reassess all patients receiving oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets for the development of these behaviors and conditions. Risks are increased in patients with a personal or family history of substance abuse (including drug or alcohol abuse or addiction) or mental illness (e.g., major depression). The potential for these risks should not, however, prevent the proper management of pain in any given patient. Patients at increased risk may be prescribed opioids such as oxymorphone hydrochloride Tablets, but use in such patients necessitates intensive counseling about the risks and proper use of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets along with frequent reevaluation for signs of addiction, abuse, and misuse. Consider recommending or prescribing opioid overdose reversal agent [see Dosage and Administration (2.2), Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. Opioids are sought for nonmedical use and are subject to diversion from legitimate prescribed use. Consider these risks when prescribing or dispensing oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets. Strategies to reduce
Adverse Reactions
The following serious adverse reactions are described, or described in greater detail, in other sections: Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Interactions with Benzodiazepines and Other CNS Depressants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Anaphylaxis, Angioedema, and Other Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)] Adrenal Insufficiency [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)] Severe Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)] Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)] Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13)] Withdrawal [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14)] Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia and Allodynia [See Warnings and Precautions (5.6)]
Drug Interactions
Table 2 includes clinically significant drug interactions with oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets. Alcohol Clinical Impact The concomitant use of alcohol with Oxymorphone Hydrochloride Tablets can result in an increase of oxymorphone plasma levels and potentially fatal overdose of oxymorphone. Intervention Instruct patients not to consume alcoholic beverages or use prescription or non-prescription products containing alcohol while on oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets therapy [see Clinical Pharmacology 12.3)]. Benzodiazepines and Other Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants Clinical Impact Due to additive pharmacologic effect, the concomitant use of benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, can increase the risk of hypotension, respiratory depression, profound sedation, coma, and death. Intervention Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.. Inform patients and caregivers of this potential interaction, educate them on the signs and symptoms of respiratory depression (including sedation) If concomitant use is warranted, consider recommending or prescribing an opioid overdose reversal agent [see Dosage and Administration (2.2, 2.7), Warnings and Precautions (5.1, 5.3, 5.5)]. Examples Benzodiazepines and other sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics, gabapentinoids (gabapentin or pregabalin), other opioids, alcohol. Serotonergic Drugs Clinical Impact The concomitant use of opioids with other drugs that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter system has resulted in serotonin syndrome. Intervention If concomitant use is warranted, frequently evaluate the patient, particularly during treatment initiation and dose adjustment. Discontinue oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets if serotonin syndrome is suspected. Examples Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Mechanism of Action
Oxymorphone is a full opioid agonist and is relatively selective for the mu-opioid receptor, although it can bind to other opioid receptors at higher doses. The principal therapeutic action of oxymorphone is analgesia. Like all full opioid agonists, there is no ceiling effect for analgesia with oxymorphone. Clinically, dosage is titrated to provide adequate analgesia and may be limited by adverse reactions, including respiratory and CNS depression. The precise mechanism of the analgesic action is unknown. However, specific CNS opioid receptors for endogenous compounds with opioid-like activity have been identified throughout the brain and spinal cord and are thought to play a role in the analgesic effects of this drug.
Overdosage
Clinical Presentation Acute overdose with oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets can be manifested by respiratory depression, somnolence progressing to stupor or coma, skeletal muscle flaccidity, cold and clammy skin, constricted pupils, and, in some cases, pulmonary edema, bradycardia, hypotension, hypoglycemia, partial or complete airway obstruction, atypical snoring, and death. Marked mydriasis rather than miosis may be seen with hypoxia in overdose situations [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2)]. Toxic leukoencephalopathy has been reported after opioid overdose and can present hours, days, or weeks after apparent recovery from the initial intoxication. Treatment of Overdose In case of overdose, priorities are the reestablishment of a patent and protected airway and institution of assisted or controlled ventilation, if needed. Employ other supportive measures (including oxygen and vasopressors) in the management of circulatory shock and pulmonary edema as indicated. Cardiac arrest or arrhythmias will require advanced life-support measures. For clinically significant respiratory or circulatory depression secondary to oxymorphone overdose, administer an opioid overdose reversal agent such as naloxone or nalmefene. Because the duration of opioid reversal is expected to be less than the duration of action of oxymorphone in oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets, carefully monitor the patient until spontaneous respiration is reliably reestablished. If the response to an opioid overdose reversal agent is suboptimal or only brief in nature, administer additional reversal agent as directed by the products prescribing information. In an individual physically dependent on opioids, administration of the recommended usual dosage of the opioid overdose reversal agent will precipitate an acute withdrawal syndrome. The severity of the withdrawal symptoms experienced will depend on the degree of physical dependence and the dose of the reversal agent administered. If a decision is made to tr