How Long Does Opana (Oxymorphone) Stay In Your System?

Opana, the brand name for oxymorphone, is an opioid prescription drug used to treat chronic or severe pain.

Depending on the type of oxymorphone (immediate or extended-release), it can last in your system for about 2.5 days. If you struggle with substance abuse issues, you may have to take a drug test. A drug screen can detect oxymorphone for up to 3 months after last use.

How Fast Is Opana Metabolized?

Opana is a semi-synthetic opioid that attaches to opioid receptors in the central nervous system to produce its analgesic (pain relieving) effects. Pain relief and other side-effects of oxymorphone will likely wear off long before the drug is out of your system.

Opana is metabolized similarly to other opiate/opioid drugs, including:

• oxycodone (Oxycontin, Percocet)
• codeine
• fentanyl
• hydrocodone (Vicodin)
• hydromorphone (Dilaudid)

Oxymorphone Half-Life

Oxymorphone and other opioid pain medications are metabolized in the liver. The amount of time it takes a drug to be eliminated depends on its half-life. The half-life of oxymorphone is the amount of time it takes the drug to reach half its amount in your bloodstream.

Oxymorphone immediate-release tablets have a half-life of about 7-10 hours. Oxymorphone extended-release tablets have a half-life of about 9-12 hours. It takes about five half-lives to eliminate a drug, which is between 2 and 2.5 days for oxymorphone.

Opana Drug Detection Windows

Although oxymorphone is metabolized and eliminated within 3 days of taking the drug, the liver creates metabolites that may be detected on a drug test for even longer. These metabolites can be detected in urine, blood, saliva, and hair drug tests.

Urine Tests

Urine tests are inexpensive and easily accessible, which makes them one of the most common types of drug screens. Oxymorphone can be detected on a urine test for 1-4 days after the last dose.

Blood Tests

Blood tests can detect recent drug use but are not used often because they are invasive, expensive, and provide a short window of detection. Oxymorphone can be detected on a blood test for up to 24 hours.

Saliva Tests

Saliva tests are easy to obtain and can sometimes detect a single dose of drug use. Oxymorphone can be detected on a saliva test for up to 3 days after last use.

Hair Tests

Hair tests are beneficial because they provide a long window of detection—up to 90 days after last use. However, it can take up to a week for a drug and its metabolites to be detectable in hair follicles.

Factors That Can Affect Opana Metabolism

Several factors can influence how long it takes to eliminate Opana and how long it will be detectable on a drug screen.

Factors that can affect drug elimination times include:

• type of opana tablets (immediate-release or extended-release)
• frequency of use
• amount of use
• route of administration (oral, snorting, injecting)
• metabolism
• fluid intake
• body composition
• liver health

Opana Abuse Risks

Opioids, including Opana, have a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested the discontinuation of Opana ER in 2017 because of the risks associated with the drug.

Monitoring and detecting opioid use can help prevent life-threatening complications, like respiratory depression. When Opana is mixed with other prescription drugs, like benzodiazepines, the risk of overdose is even greater.

Signs of an opioid overdose include:

• decreased heart rate
• low blood pressure
• extreme drowsiness
• loss of consciousness

Opioid Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one is concerned about an upcoming drug test and struggles with substance abuse issues, help is available. An addiction treatment program can help you learn how to cope with cravings and maintain long-term recovery.

Depending on your individual needs, your treatment options may include detox, inpatient, or outpatient care. Medical detox provides around-the-clock care and may provide medications, like methadone, to ease Opana withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Once your symptoms are stabilized, you may choose to continue with a drug rehab program. At Northeast Addictions Treatment Center, our outpatient programs incorporate a wide range of services, including counseling, group therapy, behavioral therapy, and family therapy.

If you or a loved one struggles with opioid addiction or co-occurring mental health disorders, please call us today to learn more about treatment options.