Oxymorphone Rectal Suppository

What is this medicine?

OXYMORPHINE (ox i MOR feen) is a pain reliever. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for rectal use only. Do not take by mouth. Wash your hands before and after use. Take off the foil wrapping. Wet the tip of the suppository with cold tap water to make it easier to use. Lie on your side with your lower leg straightened out and your upper leg bent forward toward your stomach. Lift upper buttock to expose the rectal area. Apply gentle pressure to insert the suppository completely into the rectum, pointed end first. Hold buttocks together for a few seconds. Remain lying down for about 15 minutes to avoid having the suppository come out. Do not use more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing problems

• changes in vision

• confusion

• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

• seizures

• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

• unusually fast or slow heartbeat

• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• drowsiness

• headache

• loss of appetite

• nausea, vomiting

• sweating

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• alcohol or any product that contains alcohol

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold

• atropine

• benzodiazepines

• certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine

• certain medicines for Parkinson's disease like benztropine, trihexyphenidyl

• certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine

• certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine

• ipratropium

• medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

• medicines for sleep

• muscle relaxants

• naltrexone

• narcotic medicines (opiates) for pain

• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.

Store in the refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Discard unused medicine and used packaging carefully. Pets and children can be harmed if they find used or lost packages.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• brain tumor

• drug abuse or addiction

• head injury

• if you frequently drink alcohol containing drinks

• intestinal disease

• kidney disease

• kyphoscoliosis

• liver disease

• lung disease, asthma, or breathing problems

• seizures

• an unusual or allergic reaction to oxymorphone, codeine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your pain does not go away, if it gets worse, or if you have new or a different type of pain. You may develop tolerance to the medicine. Tolerance means that you will need a higher dose of the medicine for pain relief. Tolerance is normal and is expected if you take this medicine for a long time.

Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction. Your body becomes used to the medicine. This does NOT mean you are addicted. Addiction is a behavior related to getting and using a drug for a non-medical reason. If you have pain, you have a medical reason to take pain medicine. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose will be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.

Do not consume alcoholic beverages, or prescription or non-prescription medications that have alcohol, while on this medicine. Taking this medicine with alcohol can be very dangerous. You may get too much medicine, too fast.

There are different types of narcotic medicines (opiates) for pain. If you take more than one type at the same time, you may have more side effects. Give your health care provider a list of all medicines you use. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. Do not take more medicine than directed. Call emergency for help if you have problems breathing.

This medicine will cause constipation. Try to have a bowel movement at least every 2 to 3 days. If you do not have a bowel movement for 3 days, call your doctor or health care professional.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

This medicine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your eye doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.