Oxymorphone hydrochloride is a generic name and an active ingredient in the branded Opana ER 5 mg drug. 5 mg Opana ER is available in extended-release (ER) tablet form. Opana ER medication is a long-acting opioid that is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain in individuals.

Initially, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this medicine in 2006. However, in 2012, Endo Pharmaceuticals changed the reformulated form of Opana ER with the old version of the medicine to prevent its misuse. In 2017, this medication was withdrawn from the market because this drug is not able to minimize the risk of abuse.

Opana 5 mg is a controlled substance under Scheduled II due to which it has a high potential for abuse or misuse like morphine, methadone, etc. Endo Pharmaceuticals is the supplier of Opana ER.

A 5 mg dosage strength of Opana ER is the initial dose for opioid non-tolerant patients which may be taken every 12 hours. It is a prescribed-only drug that is administered by a doctor for pain management. This drug is pink colored and round shaped and imprinted with E 5.

Note: Opana ER 5 mg is a discontinued drug.

Mechanism of Action of Opana ER 5 mg

This drug has the same opioid analgesic effect as morphine. Oxymorphone is an active ingredient of Opana ER 5 mg which has a high affinity for mu receptors that are present in the brain and the spinal cord. After binding with a mu-receptor, it induces GABA inhibitory neurotransmitter which prevents pain signals from the body to the brain.

Side Effects

• Common side effects are:- stomach upset, headache, dizziness, vomiting, pruritus (itching) etc.
• Severe side effects are:- fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, sweating, anxiety etc.

Precautions

• This medicine should not be abruptly discontinued because it may cause severe withdrawal symptoms in persons.
• Due to drug interaction, it is not advised to take other medicines while taking Opana ER tablets.
• It is recommended to swallow whole medicine without crushing, chewing and dissolving.
• Alcohol should not be consumed during your treatment.