Oxymorphone molecules exert their effects by binding to and activating the μ-opioid receptor as an agonist. This occurs due to the way in which opioids structurally mimic endogenous endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for analgesia (reducing pain), causing sleepiness, and feelings of pleasure. They can be released in response to pain, strenuous exercise, orgasm, or excitement. This mimicking of natural endorphins results in the drug's euphoric, analgesic (pain relief), and anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects.
Oxymorphone is a semisynthetic narcotic analgesic related to hydromorphone. It affects the central nervous system and smooth muscles by activation of specific opiate receptors. Hydromorphone and oxymorphone are semisynthetic derivatives of morphine and potent opiate agonists which are used predominantly to treat moderate-to-severe pain.
These appear to stem from the way in which opioids mimic endogenous endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for analgesia (reducing pain), causing sleepiness, and feelings of pleasure. They can be released in response to pain, strenuous exercise, orgasm, or excitement. This mimicking of natural endorphins results in the drug's effects.
Like most opioids, unadulterated oxymorphone does not cause many long-term complications other than dependence and constipation. Outside of the extremely powerful addiction and physical dependence, the harmful or toxic aspects of oxymorphone usage are exclusively associated with not taking appropriate precautions in regards to its administration, overdosing and using impure products.
Heavy dosages of oxymorphone can result in respiratory depression, leading onto fatal or dangerous levels of anoxia (oxygen deprivation). This occurs because the breathing reflex is suppressed by agonism of µ-opioid receptors proportional to the dosage consumed.
Oxymorphone can also cause nausea and vomiting; a significant number of deaths attributed to opioid overdose are caused by aspiration of vomit by an unconscious victim. This is when an unconscious or semi-conscious user who is lying on their back vomits into their mouth and unknowingly suffocates. It can be prevented by ensuring that one is lying on their side with their head tilted downwards so that the airways cannot be blocked in the event of vomiting while unconscious (also known as the recovery position).
Opioid overdoses can be treated by calling the local emergency number and administering an opioid antagonist such as naloxone.
It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this drug.
As with other opiate-based painkillers, the chronic use of oxymorphone can be considered extremely addictive and is capable of causing both physical and psychological dependence. When physical dependence has developed, withdrawal symptoms may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage.
Tolerance to many of the effects of oxymorphone develops with prolonged use, including therapeutic effects. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. The rate at which this occurs develops at different rates for different effects with tolerance to the constipation-inducing effects developing particularly slowly. Oxymorphone presents cross-tolerance with Cross-all other opioids, meaning that after the consumption of oxymorphone all opioids will have a reduced effect.
The risk of fatal opioid overdoses rise sharply after a period of cessation and relapse, largely because of reduced tolerance. To account for this lack of tolerance, it is safer to only dose a fraction of one's usual dosage if relapsing. It has also been found that the environment one is in can play a role in opioid tolerance. In one scientific study, rats with the same history of heroin administration were significantly more likely to die after receiving their dose in an environment not associated with the drug in contrast to a familiar environment.
Oxymorphone is dangerous to use in combination with other depressants as many fatalities reported as overdoses are caused by interactions with other depressant drugs like alcohol or benzodiazepines, resulting in dangerously high levels of respiratory depression.
Germany:** Oxymorphone is controlled under BtMG Anlage II, making it illegal to manufacture, import, possess, sell, or transfer it without a license.
Russia:** Oxymorphone is a Schedule I controlled substance.
Switzerland: Oxymorphone is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis A. Medicinal use is permitted.
United Kingdom:** Oxymorphone is a Class A, Schedule 2 drug in the United Kingdom.
United States:** Oxymorphone is a Schedule II Controlled Substance in the United States.
Responsible use
Opioids
Codeine
Heroin
Naloxone
Oxymorphone (Wikipedia)
Oxymorphone (Erowid Vault)
Oxymorphone (Isomer Design)
