Oxymorphone (Opana) Half-Life
Oxymorphone has a half-life of approximately 8 hours. This means that after 8 hours, about half the dose will remain in a person’s system.
This opioid has a high potential for use. Taking Opana in higher or more frequent doses than prescribed can quickly result in dependence and addiction. If you or someone close to you is struggling with oxymorphone or opioid addiction, effective treatment is available. At Vertava Health, we provide specialized treatment for those who suffer from opioid use disorder.
How Long Does Oxymorphone (Opana) Take To Work?
Most people feel pain relief within an hour of taking oxymorphone. Doctors may prescribe oxymorphone in varying doses, based on a person’s size and opioid tolerance. A therapeutic dose will typically be 5 milligrams. People who have an opioid tolerance, or who are in severe pain, may be given slightly higher doses of this medication.
One study found that healthy patients experienced the drug’s peak effects between 30 and 60 minutes after the last dose. The higher a person’s dose, the more concentrated their plasma will be with the medication. If a person takes oxymorphone on an empty stomach, they may experience a faster onset of the drug’s effects.
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Oxymorphone (Opana) Detection Time
Oxymorphone is detectable for about 2 days after last use. This amount of time can vary, based on a person’s metabolic rate and organ function.
Along with blood filtration, the liver also processes medications. This vital organ breaks down drugs like oxymorphone through a process called metabolism. People with healthy livers will process oxymorphone into agents called metabolites. Drug tests may screen specifically for oxymorphone’s metabolites.
If you have an upcoming drug test and are concerned about detection, you may want to consider your options. If you take oxymorphone with a valid prescription, make sure to let the person administering the test know. Have a copy of your prescription with you for medical proof.
For those who take oxymorphone without a prescription, you may want to consider the risks of abusing this drug. High doses of Opana can lead to tolerance, opioid dependence, and overdose.
Oxymorphone can also lead to side effects including anxiety, confusion, and nausea. As the body metabolizes the substance, peak levels will decrease in the plasma. This should cause side effects to subside.
People who take other prescription medications should exercise extreme caution, especially if they are prescribed benzodiazepines. Combining opioids with drugs like Xanax could result in dangerous side effects, including fatal overdose.
Drug Test Types That Detect Oxymorphone (Opana)
When a person takes oxymorphone regularly, they may become dependent on the medication. Dependence can cause a person to ingest large doses of Opana, which raises the risk of tolerance and addiction.
Currently, in the U.S., 130 people die every day from an opioid overdose. To combat the opioid addiction and overdose epidemic, many schools, doctors, and employers require routine drug screenings.
Several of the most commonly used types of drug tests can detect oxymorphone, including:
- Urine Screening: This is the most frequently administered drug test, and usually shows results from the past one to three days.
- Saliva Swab: Oral swab tests can detect opioids for 24-36 hours after last use.
- Hair Test: Hair follicle screenings can detect substances up to 90 days after use. However, this type of drug screen is not commonly used to detect Opana.
What Factors Influence How Long Oxymorphone (Opana) Is In Your System?
Not all bodies will process oxymorphone in the same way. This means that some people may have different detection timelines. There are several factors that can impact how long Opana can be found in a person’s system, including:
Body Mass Index
Opioids like oxymorphone are stored in the fatty tissues of the body. People who have a higher body mass index (height and weight calculation) may have longer detection windows because their bodies contain greater traces of the drug.
Age
As a person ages, the systems of their body slow down. This includes metabolism, which is what processes medication like oxymorphone. The younger a person is, the quicker their body will clear the drug.
Organ Health
Oxymorphone is mainly processed by the liver and kidneys. If a person has lower functioning organs, their metabolism will be slowed. This means their body may take longer to clear the drug from its system.
How To Get Oxymorphone (Opana) Out Of Your System
People who are ready to stop taking oxymorphone, or to get the drug out of their system, may benefit from a medical detox program. This is the safest way to detox from powerful opioids like Opana.
People who have an upcoming drug test may try to get the drug out of their system by simply stopping the medication on their own (quitting “cold turkey”). However, without medical detox, a person will likely experience difficult withdrawal symptoms like sweating, chills, and vomiting.
In a medically supervised detox program, patients are provided with medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to relieve symptoms of withdrawal. Compassionate detox staff assists patients through the detoxification process with medical and emotional support.
Doctors in a medical detox program may also suggest a tapering schedule. This allows patients to slowly reduce their dose of oxymorphone, in order to lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
Getting Treatment For Oxymorphone (Opana) Use And Addiction
While some people take oxymorphone and never get addicted, millions of others struggle with opioid dependence. If you or someone you love is battling an oxymorphone addiction, effective treatment is available.
At Vertava Health, we offer inpatient rehab programs in our facilities across the U.S. After a person detoxes from opioids, they engage in therapies that help restore a sense of self-worth and personal responsibility. Our rehab facilities also offer group counseling, 12-step support, and nature-based therapies.
For more information about how long oxymorphone stays in your system, or to find an Vertava Health rehab program near you, contact a treatment specialist today.
