Opana Withdrawal | How Long Does Oxymorphone Withdrawal Last?

Opana (or Opana ER) is the brand name for the semi-synthetic opioid analgesic oxymorphone. It’s a prescription drug used to treat moderate to severe pain. Opana works by attaching to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, changing how the body perceives pain.

Unfortunately, Opana is also commonly abused due to the potential for euphoria and an intense high. As a Schedule II controlled substance, oxymorphone has a high potential for abuse which can ultimately lead to dependence and opiate addiction. 

Because of how often the drug was being abused, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked the manufacturer, Endo Pharmaceuticals, to remove the drug from the US market in 2017. The brand name Opana is off the market but the generic version can still be found.

If you do try to quit oxymorphone after building up a physical dependence, you’re likely to experience unpleasant opioid withdrawal symptoms which can last anywhere from days to months.

Opana Withdrawal Timeline

How long Opana withdrawal symptoms last depends on several factors and can differ from person to person. That being said, there is a general timeline for Opana withdrawal that you can look at to see if your symptoms are common or not.

The withdrawal timeline for Opana includes:

12-24 Hours After Last Dose

Early withdrawal symptoms will likely begin to occur during this time and may include anxiety, restlessness, runny nose, fever, and muscle pains.

2-3 Days After Last Dose

This is when withdrawal symptoms are likely to peak and is also the time when relapse is most likely. Some of the symptoms you might experience include strong cravings, nausea, headaches, sweating, insomnia, stomach problems, and irritation.

3-5 Days

Most of the stronger withdrawal symptoms will likely weaken at this point, but you may still experience stomach cramping, muscle aches, chills, and fatigue.

1+ Months

At this stage, any lingering withdrawal symptoms are determined to be post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS). PAWS can include things like opioid cravings, fatigue, and sleeping problems. This stage may also consist of mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Opana Withdrawal Symptoms

When withdrawing from Opana, the symptoms of withdrawal can range from mild to severe, and using more opioids to cope with intense symptoms can be life-threatening. 

Opana withdrawal symptoms may include:

• restlessness
• sweating
• tearing up
• runny nose
• muscle and joint pain
• dilated pupils
• nausea
• insomnia
• irritability
• vomiting
• increased blood pressure/hypertension
• irregular heart rate
• fast breathing
• anxiety and depression

Factors That Affect How Long Oxymorphone Withdrawal Lasts

There are several factors that can affect how long withdrawal symptoms last as well as the intensity of symptoms:

• formulation: withdrawal symptoms can last longer if the extended-release of oxymorphone was used  
• age: older people may experience withdrawal symptoms for a longer period of time compared to younger adults
• other drug use: if other drugs were used with Opana, it can affect how the body metabolizes each substance and how the body reacts to the absence of the oxymorphone
• body fat: those with higher body fat percentages may experience withdrawal longer as the drug can accumulate in fat and take longer to expel from the body
• dosage: the body takes much longer to get rid of higher doses of Opana versus lower doses, and higher doses can lead to longer symptoms
• method of drug use: how you took oxymorphone (orally, snorting, or injecting) also affects how long your withdrawal symptoms last and how intense they are

Treating Opana Withdrawal

Because withdrawal from opioids like Opana can lead to a life-threatening relapse, going to an inpatient treatment center for detox, or being medically supervised by your healthcare provider, is recommended rather than going “cold turkey.” 

For Opana addiction, a medical detox program is often a good option. During this process, you are medically supervised while healthcare professionals monitor your vitals and do what they can to ease withdrawal symptoms and make you as comfortable as possible.

Another option to avoid opioid withdrawal during detox is to have a healthcare provider slowly taper the dosage of your medication. 

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Following an initial detox program to stabilize, you may be recommended to attend a medication-assisted treatment program. MAT uses a combination of medications and behavioral therapy to lower dependence and increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. 

Some of the medications used include:

• methadone: a full opioid agonist that helps ease withdrawal symptoms and relieves drug cravings
• buprenorphine: a partial opioid agonist that helps control withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, including Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone), Bunavail, and Subutex
  

Other opioid addiction treatment options include group therapy, mental health counseling, peer support, and aftercare planning.

If you or a loved one live with substance use disorder and need substance abuse treatment in Ohio, please contact us today.