Oxymorphone (ox-i-MOR-fone)

Treats moderate to severe pain, helps anesthesia work better during surgery, and eases anxiety related to breathing problems. This medicine is a narcotic pain reliever.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, into a muscle, or into a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how oxymorphone works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Cimetidine, cyclosporine, metaxalone, mirtazapine, propofol, tramadol, trazodone
  • Diuretic (water pill)
  • MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days
  • Medicine to treat depression, anxiety, or mental health problems
  • Phenothiazine medicine
  • Triptan medicine to treat migraine headaches
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol. Tell your doctor if you are using buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, or a muscle relaxer.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, breathing or lung problems (such as COPD, sleep apnea), heart disease, gallbladder problems, pancreas problems, Addison disease, thyroid disease, enlarged prostate, trouble urinating, or a history of seizures, head injury, brain tumor, depression, or alcohol or drug abuse.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • High risk of overdose, which can lead to death
  • Respiratory depression, which could be life-threatening
  • Sleep-related breathing problems (including sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoxemia)
  • Serotonin syndrome (when used with certain medicines)
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine, especially if you will be receiving anesthesia or having tests done.
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Sit or lie down if you feel dizzy. Stand up slowly if you feel lightheaded.
• This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.
• This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, restlessness, fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• Extreme dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness, slow heartbeat, seizures, and cold, clammy skin
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
• Severe constipation or stomach pain
• Trouble breathing

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Mild constipation
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot was given
• Sleepiness or drowsiness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088