Oxymorphone
Pronunciation:ox-i-MOR-fohn
Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number:76-41-5. (Hydrochloride form 357-
07-3)
Formal Names:Numorphan
Type:Depressant (opioid class).Seepage 24
Federal Schedule Listing:Schedule II (DEA no. 9652)
USA Availability:Prescription
Pregnancy Category:C
Uses.Medically this drug is used to ease pain and assist in anesthesia. It is
about 9 to 13 times stronger thanmorphine, with similar actions. Oxymor-
phone has been likened toheroin. Because body chemistry transforms part of
anoxycodonedose into oxymorphone, scientists wondered if oxycodone’s
therapeutic actions actually came from oxymorphone; upon investigation, ex-
perimenters concluded that oxycodone does produce effects apart from those
of oxymorphone. Allowing hospitalized patients to control their own oxy-
morphone dosage for pain relief has caused no problems.Hydromorphone
can sometimes be used as a substitute. A case report indicates oxymorphone
can have antidepressant actions.
Drawbacks.Unwanted effects of oxymorphone can include nausea, vomit-
ing, and breathing difficulty. Euphoria has been noted in horses that receive
the drug.
Abuse factors.Not enough scientific information to report, but the drug is
legally classified as highly addictive.
Drug interactions.Other depressants should generally be avoided, and
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs, found in some antidepressants and
other medicine) should also be avoided.
Cancer.Not enough scientific information to report.
Pregnancy.Birth defects appeared after experimenters gave pregnant ham-
sters 1,500 times the recommended human dose. Effects on human pregnancy
are unknown. The drug can influence fetal heartbeat if used in childbirth.
Oxymorphone has been found effective for easing pain after caesarean section.
Additional scientific information may be found in: