Oxymorphone may be habit forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or take it for a longer period of time or in a different way than prescribed by your doctor. Taking more oxymorphone than prescribed by your doctor may cause overdose and death, especially if you also overuse other prescription medications or use street drugs or alcohol. Tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, use or have ever used street drugs or have overused prescription medication.
Oxymorphone extended-release (long-acting) tablets should be used only by people who need regularly scheduled doses of pain medication to treat continuous pain for an extended period of time. Extended-release oxymorphone tablets should not be taken as needed or to treat occasional episodes of pain.
Swallow oxymorphone extended-release tablets whole; do not break, chew, dissolve, or crush them. If you take broken, chewed, dissolved, or crushed extended-release tablets, you will receive the entire dose of oxymorphone at once, instead of slowly over 12 hours. This may cause serious problems, including overdose and death. Tell your doctor if you are unable to swallow the tablets whole. Your doctor may prescribe a different medication.
Do not drink any drinks that contain alcohol or take any prescription or nonprescription medications that contain alcohol while you are taking oxymorphone, especially while you are taking the extended-release tablets. Ask your doctor or pharmacist or check the list of ingredients if you do not know if a medication contains alcohol. Taking alcohol with extended-release oxymorphone tablets may cause an increased amount of oxymorphone in your body and could cause an overdose or death.
Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking oxymorphone.
Oxymorphone is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Oxymorphone is in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. It works by changing the way the body responds to pain.
Oxymorphone comes as a tablet and an extended-release tablet to take by mouth on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. The regular tablet is usually taken every 4 to 6 hours. The extended-release tablet is usually taken every 12 hours. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take oxymorphone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of oxymorphone and gradually increase your dose until your pain is controlled. Your doctor may adjust your dose at any time during your treatment if your pain is not controlled. If you feel that your pain is not controlled, call your doctor. Do not change the dose of your medication without talking to your doctor.
Do not stop taking oxymorphone without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking oxymorphone, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness; watery eyes; runny nose; yawning; sweating; chills; muscle, joint, or back pain; enlarged pupils (black circles in the centers of the eyes); irritability; anxiety; weakness; stomach cramps; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; loss of appetite; fast heartbeat; and fast breathing.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
If you are taking oxymorphone on a regular schedule, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
constipation
nausea
vomiting
loss of appetite
dry mouth
stomach pain
headache
dizziness
confusion
extreme tiredness
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
itching
fever
slow or difficult breathing
seizures
hives
Oxymorphone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Flush any medication that is outdated or no longer needed down the toilet. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
Store oxymorphone in a safe place so that no one else can take it accidentally or on purpose. Keep track of how many tablets are left so you will know if any are missing.
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
difficulty breathing or slowed or stopped breathing
bluish-tinged skin, lips, or fingernails
cold, clammy skin
increase or decrease in pupil (dark circle in the eye) size
limp or weak muscles
extreme sleepiness
loss of consciousness
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Selling or giving away this medication may cause severe harm or death to others and is illegal.
This prescription is not refillable. If you are taking oxymorphone to control your pain on a long term basis, be sure to schedule appointments with your doctor regularly so that you do not run out of medication. If you are taking oxymorphone on a short term basis, call your doctor if you continue to have pain after you finish the medication.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Last Revised - 11/01/2010
AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2012. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.