Snorting Opana | Effects & Dangers Of Oxymorphone Abuse

Opana and Opana ER are brand-name prescription drugs for oxymorphone, which come in tablets. These tablets can be crushed into powder and then snorted.

Snorting Opana can be done to feel its effects quicker and more strongly.

Opana ER was discontinued by its producer in 2017 because its benefits did not outweigh its health risks. Opana ER is no longer a legal prescription opioid. Generic versions of Opana ER may still be available, with similar risks to the brand name Opana ER.

How & Why Opana Is Snorted

Opana or Opana ER comes in small tablets of various colors. These tablets can be crushed into a powder with household items. The powder can then be snorted with a straw, a rolled-up bill, or other, easy-to-use equipment.

Opioids like Opana may be crushed and snorted to feel their effects faster. If a drug is snorted, it doesn’t have to be digested, instead of entering directly into the bloodstream.

Snorting Opana is a form of opioid abuse that comes with many risks.

Side Effects Of Snorting Opana

Snorting any drug will directly affect the nose, lungs, and cardiovascular system. This can cause effects that usually won’t happen with other forms of drug use, including:

• runny nose
• sinus infection
• congestion
• nosebleeds (epistaxis)
• nasal septum perforation (holes in the wall dividing the nostrils)
• increased risk of bloodborne diseases (such as HIV and hepatitis)

Sharing snorting equipment can have similar risks to sharing needles. Insufflation can lead to nosebleeds or damaged blood vessels. If this blood gets on the snorting equipment, it can transmit bloodborne pathogens.

HIV outbreaks in recent years have been connected to injecting Opana. This risk may carry over to snorting Opana and other drugs, especially in group settings.

Dangers Of Snorting Opana

Snorting Opana can often mean taking higher doses of the drug, even without realizing it. When an opioid drug is crushed into a powder, it can be harder to track what counts as a recommended dose, and what goes above that dose.

While low doses of opioids can treat severe pain, high doses can be harmful by causing:

• vomiting
• constipation
• nausea
• insomnia
• dizziness

Many high doses over time can also lead to physical dependence, where your body needs Opana to work properly. Physical dependence can lead to severe opioid withdrawal symptoms, which can be difficult and painful to get through without professional help.

Risk Of Overdose 

Higher doses of opioids like Opana are linked to higher chances of an opioid overdose. Opioid overdoses can be life-threatening, especially if they aren’t treated right away. Symptoms of an opioid overdose include:

• severe respiratory depression (slowed breathing)
• clammy skin
• loose or floppy limbs
• constricted pupils
• unconsciousness or coma

In 2019, there were over 70,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States. Over 70% of these involved an opioid.

A Short History Of Opana Abuse

The makers of Opana, Endo Pharmaceuticals, claimed that the drug had low abuse potential when it was introduced in 2006. 

After about six years on the market, Endo introduced a reformulation of Opana extended-release tablets, claiming they had an abuse-deterrent formulation.

However, abuse of Opana continued until 2017, where the FDA decided Opana was too risky to keep on the market. The drug was discontinued shortly afterward.

Substance abuse of Opana through injection has been a well-documented issue ever since it was introduced. Snorting Opana, also known as insufflation, maybe less well-known but can still be dangerous.

Opioid Addiction Treatment

Injecting or snorting Opana can be harmful to your physical and mental health. Along with your health, abusing Opana can put a strain on your work and home life. If you find yourself constantly thinking about Opana, it may be time to look for treatment.

Many treatment options exist for opioid painkiller abuse. If you have a dependency on opiates, you may need a detox to cleanse your body of the drug. You may also benefit from therapy, which may look at substance use disorders from a mental health perspective.

Dedicated treatment centers can help you overcome opioid abuse and restore your health. To find the best abuse or addiction treatment available to you, please contact us today.