Oxymorphone
 NAME OF DRUG: Oxymorphone (Numorphan) |
| PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: Occurs as a white or slightly off white, odorless powder. It is sparingly soluble in alcohol and ether, but freely soluble in water. |
| DOSAGE/OCCURRENCE/USAGE: Oxymorphone is a semi-synthetic agonist with a chemical structure similar to hydromorphone that is a narcotic substitute for morphine. It is a potent narcotic analgesic typically used for the relief of moderate to severe pain and also as a preoperative medication to alleviate apprehension, maintain anesthesia, and as an obstetric analgesic. Additionally, it can be used for the alleviation of patients with dyspnea associated with acute left ventricular failure and pulmonary edema. It is administered rectally in 5 mg doses four to six times daily, intravenous injection in 0.5 mg doses, or by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in 1.0 – 1.5 mg doses four to six times daily. |
| BLOOD CONCENTRATIONS VS. DOSAGE: Data regarding therapeutic and toxic plasma concentrations of oxymorphone are not available. |
| URINE EXCRETION RATE: Oxymorphone is metabolized to 6-oxymorphol by reduction of the 6-keto group. |
| METABOLITES: Glucuronide conjugates |
| TOXICITY: Oxymorphone overdosage is characterized by respiratory depression, extreme somnolence progressing to stupor or coma, skeletal muscle flaccidity, cold and clammy skin, and sometimes bradycardia and hypotension. In a severe case of overdose, apnea, circulatory collapse, cardiac arrest, and death may occur. |
| REFERENCES:
Baselt, R C. Disposition of Toxic Drugs and Chemicals in Man, Second Edition. Davis,
Calif.: Biomedical Publications, 1982. Physicians? Desk Reference, Forty-Eight Edition. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Data Production Company, 1994. Goldberger, Bruce A. Opiates Abused Drugs Monograph Series. Ed. Caplan, Yale H. Irving, TX: Abbott Laboratories, 1994. |