Opana Infographic – Opioid Abuse & Addiction Signs & Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Opana Use, Abuse, Addiction & Facts

What is Opana? How is it Ingested or Used?

Opana is a semi-synthetic opioid available in tablet form. A strong narcotic, it works by altering how the body perceives and reacts to pain. For this reason, it is also prescribed to cancer patients, burn victims, and others experiencing acute, moderate-to-severe pain. Opana produces a sense of euphoria, but the effect is brief.

Opana is the most common brand name for oxymorphone. Its effects are similar to morphine, but users like it because it has fewer histamine-related side effects such as itchiness. While it is similar to Oxycontin, it’s twice as strong and therefore, dangerously addictive.

Opana’s sedative effects are so well known that it’s even sometimes given before surgery to help reduce a patient’s anxiety or help them stay under anesthesia.

Opana is taken by mouth, usually every 12 hours (according to the legal prescritions).¹ Unlike other opioids, Opana can only be taken by mouth. Crushing, snorting, or shooting it as a liquid will not intensify the “high” for users. Unlike some opioids, it must be taken on an empty stomach an hour or two after the patient eats. If it’s taken with food, a person can end up with unpredictable levels of the drug present in the bloodstream. It’s easy for a person who uses or abuses the drug to overdose this way.

Typical of an opioid, Opana is highly addictive. Many users become dependent or addicted to this powerful narcotic.

Street names for Opana/Oxymorphone:

• Blue heaven
• Blues
• New blues
• Biscuits
• Octagons
• Stop signs
• Pink heaven
• Pink lady

What Are the Symptoms of Opana Usage?

Some people who take Opana may have trouble sleeping (after their nervous systems gets familiar with having the drug affecting it). They may experience dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea while awake on the drug. Some users get sick (vomit) or experience constipation during the course of their use. Some people have a bad reaction to Opana and experience mental health issues, such as anxiety and paranoia.

Opana causes a short-term euphoria in users. While using the drug, they may fall asleep easily or have an appearance that their body is “heavy”. They may experience dry mouth or abdominal issues.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Opana Use or Abuse?

One of the primary worries for long-term users of Opana is a susceptibility e to addiction and accidental overdose. Because the drug is a time-release pill, users may not experience the euphoria they expect as quickly as they want to. They may pop another pill and experience an overdose. Some long-term users of Opana develop seizures² or an irregular heartbeat. In overdose, a user may suffer from circulatory collapse, heart attacks, or death.

Mixing with Other Substances = DEADLY

People who use alcohol with Opana are really playing with fire. Studies have shown it can cause and extreme effect on the user, causing elevated plasma levels that can result in overdose. Long-term users can also end up with problems such as impacted bowels, malnutrition and problems with their heart.

Because the euphoria a user experiences with this drug is so short-lived, Opana is considered to be one of the most addictive opioids.

Signs and Symptoms of Opana Dependency/Addiction

Studies have reported that about 9% of the population is abusing prescription drugs at any given time. Because of its effects on users, Opana is well on the way to being one of the most abused prescription drugs in the United States.

A person who is addicted to Opana may appear malnutritioned and weak. They may keep stashes of pills around their home or appear to have several prescriptions. Some of them may doctor shop or go to the ER with an illness to try to get more pills. As a person becomes addicted to Opana, they will exhibit drug-seeking behavior. They may lie or steal to support their habit. They may be panicky or explosive when their supply is dwindling. They may lose jobs, friends, or even property as they divert more and more of their finances to drug use.

Users of Opana experience intense withdrawal effects that can cause anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms may include coldness, sweating, muscle pains, muscle weakness, and spasms and even bone pain. A person detoxing from Opana will also experience vomiting and diarrhea. Because of this, most addiction specialists recommend a supervised detox where the addict can get relief from some of the symptoms and be observed for any complications. This is why most addiction specialists recommend an inpatient detoxification and recovery program.

Getting Help for an Opana or Opioid Problem

Are you worried about your Opana use? You probably have a lot of questions about your treatment options. We want you to know that you’re in the right place. There is hope for recovery. Many people dependent on Opana and other prescription drugs are able to get free of their addiction and reclaim their lives. Give us a call. It’s 100% confidential and we’ll be happy to help you with any questions or concerns you may have.

References