Most people have heard of OxyContin, Oxycodone, Methadone, and Fentanyl, which are all opioids and, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Schedule II narcotics. But there are many others just like them, including oxymorphone, an opioid that entered the market shortly after receiving approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But just like OxyContin, Oxycodone, Methadone, and Fentanyl, oxymorphone has led many people down a path of addiction. And as most will attest, ending one’s relationship with oxymorphone and escaping the firm grip of addiction is no easy feat.
What You May Not Have Known about Oxymorphone but Probably Should
Despite receiving FDA approval in 2006 and entering the market in that same year, oxymorphone didn’t gain much attention until 2010. According to an article published by Reuters, in 2010, pharmaceutical giant Purdue Pharma reformulated OxyContin. This reformulation meant that individuals could no longer crush, snort, or inject OxyContin to derive a faster and more potent euphoric high, prompting many to seek an OxyContin alternative. When the proverbial dust settled, many former OxyContin users made either Opana or the generic equivalent oxymorphone their new opioid of choice.
When it first entered the pharmaceutical world, consumers with a valid prescription could purchase Opana in immediate and extended-release (ER) formulations. However, in 2017, the FDA requested that Endo Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Opana, remove the extended-release formulation from the market, citing that the risks of taking it far outweighed the benefits. This decision from the FDA led to many people taking oxymorphone or immediate release Opana instead of completely giving up the drug. Like other opioids, some people did not take even these safer alternatives to Opana ER as directed by their physician, which led to them developing a severe addiction.
Oxymorphone Withdrawal Symptoms
Because oxymorphone is an opioid, many people face difficult withdrawal symptoms when they abruptly stop taking it. Some of these symptoms, many of which start within 14 to 18 hours following an individual’s final dose of the drug, include:
- Irritability and restlessness
- Profuse sweating
- A runny nose and watery eyes
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Dilated pupils
- Stomach pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Backaches
- Joint pain
- Generalized weakness
- Insomnia
- Hypertension
- An irregular heart rate
- Increased respiration
How Long Do Oxymorphone Withdrawal Symptoms Last?
Having discussed how long it takes for withdrawal symptoms to present themselves when individuals quit oxymorphone and the kind of symptoms they can expect to experience after giving up the drug, let’s shift gears a bit and discuss how long those symptoms can last. First and foremost, withdrawal symptoms are part of going through detox, a process whereby the body naturally rids itself of drugs and other contaminants once an individual stops using. And this same all-natural process gets underway when someone abruptly stops taking oxymorphone.
The amount of time it takes to get through an oxymorphone detox, which also spells the end of having to endure difficult withdrawal symptoms, is about 5 to 7 days. Some of the things that influence how long it ultimately takes for an individual to not only get through detox but also what their overall detox journey will be like include the following:
- How long they have been taking oxymorphone
- Whether they snort, smoke, or inject oxymorphone
- The dose they consume each day
- Genetics
- Environmental factors
- If they have a stand-alone mental illness or a co-occurring disorder
- If they engage in polydrug use that involves oxymorphone
- The individual’s commitment to overcoming addiction
- Whether or not they engage in polydrug use that involves oxymorphone
Bottom Line
In summation, it takes anywhere from 14 to 18 hours from the time when an individual has consumed their final dose of oxymorphone to begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms. And once those symptoms do present themselves, they can last anywhere from 5 to 7 days. To learn about how medication-assisted detox can make overcoming oxymorphone addiction easier or for help locating a rehab facility in your area, consider speaking with one of our friendly associates today.
How is Opiate Addiction Treated?
