Oxymorphone and Constipation: What Users Say

• Cly...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 30, 2014

Oxymorphone for Pain "Back pain 7 yrs... Spinal Stenosis and Degenerative Disc... Once I was prescribed Opana ER, I was also prescribed a companion breakthrough medicine taken 4 x daily, these have been rotated every few months. My doctor started me on Opana 10 ER 2 x daily, then Opana ER 20 twice daily. I'm now on Opana ER 40mg twice daily. I'm seldom pain-free, but with Opana ER 40 and a breakthrough medicine, I'm more comfortable. I can now stand and do tasks for short periods, then sit until the pain subsides. This method has allowed me to cook, do laundry, raise tomatoes, etc. I know that sounds limited, but before I was pretty much chair-bound. NOW I FEEL I HAVE MY LIFE BACK. SEVERE CONSTIPATION is the only reaction, but I've had that with every pain medicine prescription."

• Anonymous
• December 24, 2011

Oxymorphone for Pain "I've got scoliosis and disc herniation. I was taking Vicoprofen 7.5/200 four times a day. It worked great. My Dr. refused to write for it anymore and insisted I take Opana ER 10 mg 2X daily. I went from a $15 co-pay to a $180 co-pay. The medicine seems to do OK with the pain...but the constipation!! Also, I feel very sad and somber on it."

• EDS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2016

Oxymorphone for Pain "I was switched to Opana from OxyContin because even 150 mg of Oxy a day wasn't managing my pain anymore. Opana was said to work just as effectively at lower doses, with fewer of the miserable side effects of Oxy (constipation, drowsiness, etc.). I have found that to be the case in general; my daily dosage is more like 50-80 mg per day on this med, and I can go to the bathroom again without using a suppository first. My pain control started out slightly better on this med, but since I'm a fast metabolizer of opiates, I've started developing a tolerance to this one too, and the pain is bothering me again to the point where I can't function. My major complaints about this med are that it is very hard to find, and it is costly."

• mel...
• April 5, 2009

Oxymorphone for Pain "This medicine has been very effective, however, it doesn't last the full 12 hours of pain relief as it is prescribed. For me, it lasts about 8 hours. I did get horrible constipation, so stay hydrated. Never flush unused drugs down the toilet. It can severely affect fish and other animals along the watershed. Water treatment plants do not treat for disposed drugs."

• jil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2014

For Pain "Horrible side effects after switching from Opana ER to the generic oxymorphone ER due to insurance company denial of Opana. Side effects: racing heart, racing thoughts, insomnia, paranoia, burning and cracking of facial lips, constipation, loss of appetite."

• Stl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2015

For Pain "I've been taking generic Opana (oxymorphone) for three months to treat chronic pain from a forklift accident 30 years ago. I've had 41 surgeries on my left leg, 3 on my shoulder, an appendectomy, and 1 on my right knee to remove a torn meniscus. I FINALLY have a great pain management doctor who doesn't treat me like an addict. I'm very honest with her about how much pain meds I take and usually bring her the bottle so she can see for herself exactly how much I'm taking. Two weeks ago, she increased my dosage from 5 mg x 2 daily to 5 mg/3 x daily. I have not experienced the pain relief I was hoping for. But I have had one very unwelcome surprise... my gastric motility has been GREATLY affected (constipation!). If you already have this problem, look out."