Use in Drug and Alcohol AddictionOPANA ER is not approved for use in detoxification or maintenance
treatment of opioid addiction. However, the history of an addictive disorder
does not necessarily preclude the use of this medication for the treatment of
chronic pain. These patients will require intensive monitoring for signs of
misuse, abuse, or addiction.
Drug-Drug InteractionsOxymorphone is highly metabolized principally in the liver and
undergoes reduction or conjugation with glucuronic acid to form both active and
inactive metabolites (see Pharmacokinetics: Metabolism).
Use with CNS DepressantsThe concomitant use of other CNS depressants including sedatives,
hypnotics, tranquilizers, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, other opioids,
and alcohol may produce additive CNS depressant effects. OPANA ER, like all
opioid analgesics, should be started at 1/3 to 1/2 of the usual dose in patients
who are concurrently receiving other central nervous system depressants
including sedatives or hypnotics, general anesthetics, phenothiazines,
tranquilizers, and alcohol because respiratory depression, hypotension, and
profound sedation or coma may result, and titrated slowly as necessary for
adequate pain relief.
Additive effects resulting in respiratory depression, hypotension, profound
sedation or coma may result if these drugs are taken in combination with the
usual doses of OPANA ER. No specific interaction between oxymorphone and
monoamine oxidase inhibitors has been observed, but caution in the use of any
opioid in patients taking this class of drugs is appropriate.
When combined therapy with any of the above medications is contemplated, the
dose of one or both agents should be reduced (see WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Interactions with Mixed Agonist/Antagonist Opioid
AnalgesicsAgonist/antagonist analgesics (i.e., pentazocine, nalbuphine,
butorphanol, or buprenorphine) should not be administered to patients who have
received or are receiving a course of therapy with a pure opioid agonist
analgesic, such as OPANA ER. In this situation, mixed agonist/antagonist
analgesics may reduce the analgesic effect of OPANA ER and/or may precipitate
withdrawal symptoms.
OtherAnticholinergics or other medications with anticholinergic
activity when used concurrently with opioid analgesics may result in increased
risk of urinary retention and/or severe constipation, which may lead to
paralytic ileus.
In addition, CNS side effects have been reported (confusion, disorientation,
respiratory depression, apnea, seizures) following coadministration of
cimetidine with opioid analgesics; no clear-cut cause and effect relationship
was established.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of
FertilityCarcinogenesis: Long-term studies have been completed to evaluate
the carcinogenic potential of oxymorphone in both Sprague-Dawley rats and CD-1
mice. Oxymorphone HCl was administered to Sprague-Dawley rats (2.5, 5, and 10
mg/kg/day in males and 5, 10, and 25 mg/kg/day in females) for 2 years by oral
gavage. The systemic drug exposure (AUC ng•h/mL) at the 10 mg/kg/day in male
rats was 0.34-fold and at the 25 mg/kg/day dose in female rats was 1.5-fold the
human exposure at a dose of 260 mg/day. No evidence of carcinogenic potential
was observed in rats. Oxymorphone HCl was administered to CD-1 mice (10, 25, 75
and 150 mg/kg/day) for 2 years by oral gavage. The systemic drug exposure (AUC
ng•h/mL) at the 150 mg/kg/day dose in mice was 14.5-fold (in males) and
17.3-fold (in females) times the human exposure at a dose of 260 mg/day. No
evidence of carcinogenic potential was observed in mice.
Mutagenesis: Oxymorphone hydrochloride was not mutagenic when
tested in the in vitro bacterial reverse mutation
assay (Ames test) at concentrations of ≤5270 µg/plate, or in an in vitro mammalian cell chromosome aberration assay
performed with human peripheral blood lymphocytes at concentrations ≤5000 µg/ml
with or without metabolic activation. Oxymorphone hydrochloride tested positive
in both the rat and mouse in vivo micronucleus
assays. An increase in micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes occurred in
mice given doses ≥250 mg/kg and in rats given doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg. A
subsequent study demonstrated that oxymorphone hydrochloride was not aneugenic
in mice following administration of up to 500 mg/kg. Additional studies indicate
that the increased incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in
rats may be secondary to increased body temperature following oxymorphone
administration. Doses associated with increased micronucleated polychromatic
erythrocytes also produce a marked, rapid increase in body temperature.
Pretreatment of animals with sodium salicylate minimized the increase in body
temperature and prevented the increase in micronucleated polychromatic
erythrocytes after administration of 40 mg/kg oxymorphone.
Impairment of fertility: Oxymorphone hydrochloride did not affect
reproductive function or sperm parameters in male rats at any dose tested (≤50
mg/kg/day). In female rats, an increase in the length of the estrus cycle and
decrease in the mean number of viable embryos, implantation sites and corpora
lutea were observed at doses of oxymorphone ≥10 mg/kg/day. The dose of
oxymorphone associated with reproductive findings in female rats is 1.2-fold the
human dose of 40 mg every 12 hours based on a body surface area. The dose of
oxymorphone that produced no adverse effects on reproductive findings in female
rats is 0.6-fold the human dose of 40 mg every 12 hours on a body surface area
basis.
PregnancyThe safety of using oxymorphone in pregnancy has not been
established with regard to possible adverse effects on fetal development. The
use of OPANA ER in pregnancy, in nursing mothers, or in women of child-bearing
potential requires that the possible benefits of the drug be weighed against the
possible hazards to the mother and the child (see PRECAUTIONS).
Teratogenic Effects
Pregnancy Category C
Oxymorphone hydrochloride administration did not cause
malformations at any doses evaluated during developmental toxicity studies in
rats (≤25 mg/kg/day) or rabbits (≤50 mg/kg/day). These doses are ~3-fold and
~12-fold the human dose of 40 mg every 12 hours, based on body surface area.
There were no developmental effects in rats treated with 5 mg/kg/day or rabbits
treated with 25 mg/kg/day. Fetal weights were reduced in rats and rabbits given
doses of ≥10 mg/kg/day and 50 mg/kg/day, respectively. These doses are ~1.2-fold
and ~6-fold the human dose of 40 mg every 12 hours based on body surface area,
respectively. There were no effects of oxymorphone hydrochloride on intrauterine
survival in rats at doses ≤25 mg/kg/day, or rabbits at ≤50 mg/kg/day in these
studies (see Non-teratogenic Effects, below). In a
study that was conducted prior to the establishment of Good Laboratory Practices
(GLP) and not according to current recommended methodology, a single
subcutaneous injection of oxymorphone hydrochloride on gestation day 8 was
reported to produce malformations in offspring of hamsters that received
15.5-fold the human dose of 40 mg every 12 hours based on body surface area.
This dose also produced 83% maternal lethality.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. OPANA ER
should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the
potential risk to the fetus.
Non-teratogenic Effects
Oxymorphone hydrochloride administration to female rats during
gestation in a pre- and postnatal developmental toxicity study reduced mean
litter size (18%) at a dose of 25 mg/kg/day, attributed to an increased
incidence of stillborn pups. An increase in neonatal death occurred at ≥5
mg/kg/day. Post-natal survival of the pups was reduced throughout weaning
following treatment of the dams with 25 mg/kg/day. Low pup birth weight and
decreased postnatal weight gain occurred in pups born to oxymorphone-treated
female rats given a dose of 25 mg/kg/day. This dose is ~3-fold higher than the
human dose of 40 mg every 12 hours on a body surface area basis.
Prolonged use of opioid analgesics during pregnancy may cause fetal-neonatal
physical dependence. Neonatal withdrawal may occur. Symptoms usually appear
during the first days of life and may include convulsions, irritability,
excessive crying, tremors, hyperactive reflexes, fever, vomiting, diarrhea,
sneezing, yawning, and increased respiratory rate.
Labor and DeliveryOpioids cross the placenta and may produce respiratory depression
and psycho-physiologic effects in neonates. OPANA ER is not recommended for use
in women during and immediately prior to labor, when use of shorter acting
analgesics or other analgesic techniques are more appropriate. Occasionally,
opioid analgesics may prolong labor through actions which temporarily reduce the
strength, duration and frequency of uterine contractions. However this effect is
not consistent and may be offset by an increased rate of cervical dilatation,
which tends to shorten labor. Neonates whose mothers received opioid analgesics
during labor should be observed closely for signs of respiratory depression. A
specific opioid antagonist, such as naloxone or nalmefene, should be available
for reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression in the neonate.
Nursing MothersIt is not known whether oxymorphone is excreted in human milk.
Because many drugs, including some opioids, are excreted in human milk, caution
should be exercised when OPANA ER is administered to a nursing woman.
Ordinarily, nursing should not be undertaken while a patient is receiving
oxymorphone because of the possibility of sedation and/or respiratory depression
in the infant.
Pediatric UseSafety and effectiveness of OPANA ER in pediatric patients below
the age of 18 years have not been established.
Geriatric UseOPANA ER should be used with caution in elderly patients. The
plasma levels of oxymorphone are about 40% higher in elderly (≥65 years of age)
than in younger subjects (see CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY). Elderly patients should initially receive smaller
starting doses of oxymorphone and dose titration should proceed cautiously.
Of the total number of subjects in clinical studies of OPANA ER, 27 percent
were 65 and over, while 9 percent were 75 and over. No overall differences in
effectiveness were observed between these subjects and younger subjects. There
were several adverse events that were more frequently observed in subjects 65
and over compared to younger subjects. These adverse events included dizziness,
somnolence, confusion, and nausea.
Hepatic ImpairmentA study of OPANA ER in patients with hepatic disease indicated
greater plasma concentrations than those with normal hepatic function (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY). OPANA ER
should be used with caution in patients with mild impairment. These patients
should be started with the lowest dose and titrated slowly while carefully
monitoring for side effects. OPANA ER is contraindicated for patients with
moderate and severe hepatic impairment (see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS
, and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Renal ImpairmentIn a study of OPANA ER, patients with moderate to severe renal
impairment were shown to have an increase in bioavailability ranging from 57-65%
(see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY).
These patients should be started cautiously with lower doses of OPANA ER and
titrated slowly while carefully monitored for side effects (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Gender DifferencesWhen normalized for body weight, gender differences were not
observed (see CLINICAL
PHARMACOLOGY). In clinical studies, the overall incidence rates for
one or more adverse events were slightly higher among females than males for
both OPANA ER subjects and placebo subjects.