Chronic
cancer and nonmalignant
pain (CNMP) is a common and major health problem afflicting approximately 40 million persons in the US. Most
cancer patients, and many patients with CNMP, require
opioid analgesics to obtain adequate
pain relief. Oral
oxymorphone is a new formulation of an existing parenteral
opioid that has become available for the treatment of significant
pain: acute postoperative, chronic
arthritis, chronic low back, and chronic
cancer pain.
Oxymorphone is a typical mu-
opioid agonist that is effective in both immediate- and extended-release (IR and ER) formulations.
Oxymorphone is more
lipid soluble than
morphine, resulting in a rapid onset of action when given in
tablet formulation, with a duration of action of approximately 4-6 hours in IR and 12 hours in ER preparations.
Oxymorphone provides excellent
pain relief for significant
pain, with typical
opioid side effects that are usually mild or moderate in intensity. Multiple double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled clinical trials have demonstrated the clinical efficacy and safety of this new oral
opioid preparation. Oral
oxymorphone is an effective
opioid that provides a new therapeutic option for the physician.