Oxymorphone Hydrochloride: How Long Does It Stay in Your System?

Oxymorphone can be detected in your body for varying amounts of time, but it depends on whether your urine, blood, hair or saliva is being tested.

Oxymorphone hydrochloride is a generic prescription opioid painkiller that was previously known by the brand name Opana. The drug can be detected in the system for varying lengths of time, depending on what type of test is administered. Factors like overall health, age and duration of use can also affect how long oxymorphone hydrochloride stays in the system.

How Long Does Oxymorphone Hydrochloride Stay in Your Urine, Hair, Saliva and Blood?

Oxymorphone can be found in the body for varying amounts of time, depending on what is being tested. Detection time frames are as follows:

• Urine: Oxymorphone can be found in your urine for up to three days after the last dose. Its breakdown product noroxymorphone can also be found for up to three days.
• Hair: A half-inch hair sample can show the last 90 days of drug use, including oxymorphone.
• Saliva: Oxymorphone can be found in saliva tests for up to two days after the last dose.
• Blood: Oxymorphone can be found in the blood for up to 9.5 hours after the last dose.

Half-Life of Oxymorphone Hydrochloride

The half-life of a drug refers to how long it takes the body to eliminate half of the drug from its system. Typically, it takes five half-lives for the body to completely get rid of a drug.

Oxymorphone comes in both short-acting and long-acting dosage forms. The short-acting version has a half-life between seven and nine hours, meaning it can stay in the body for up to 45 hours. The long-acting version’s half-life ranges between nine and 11 hours, meaning it can stay in the system for up to 55 hours.

Factors That Influence How Long Oxymorphone Hydrochloride Stays in Your System

Several factors affect the amount of time that oxymorphone hydrochloride can be detected in the body. These include:

• Kidney function: If you have kidney problems, it can take longer for your body to rid itself of oxymorphone. The worse your kidney function, the longer oxymorphone may stay in your body
• Liver function: Someone with a history of liver problems may take longer to clear oxymorphone from their system than someone with a healthy liver
• Age: Adults aged 65 or older take longer to eliminate drugs from their system, so they may have higher oxymorphone blood levels than younger adults.
• Dose and duration of use: If you take a high dose or have used oxymorphone for a long time, it will take longer for your body to clear the accumulated drug.

Oxymorphone Hydrochloride Prescription Facts

Oxymorphone hydrochloride is a semi-synthetic opioid analgesic that is commonly prescribed for pain severe enough to require an opioid. The long-acting version of the drug should be reserved for people who need around-the-clock opioid pain relief over the long term.

Oxymorphone Hydrochloride Regulations

Oxymorphone hydrochloride is a highly addictive Schedule II controlled substance. It’s significantly more potent than similar opioid pain relievers, such as oxycodone and morphine. The drug’s addictive potential and high overdose rates led the Federal Drug Administration to request the removal of Opana ER — a long-acting brand name of oxymorphone — in June 2017. Today, only generic extended-release tablets are available by prescription in the U.S.

Most Commonly Abused Drugs Containing Oxymorphone Hydrochloride

Oxymorphone hydrochloride is only available as a single-drug agent. It is not available as a combination drug with any other agents.

How Oxymorphone Hydrochloride Affects the Brain and Body

Oxymorphone hydrochloride achieves its effects by binding to and activating mu opioid receptor sites in the brain. At low to moderate doses, oxymorphone hydrochloride reduces the perception of pain and creates feelings of well-being. At high doses, it can interfere with the brain’s ability to regulate breathing, leading to slowed breathing and overdose.

Oxymorphone hydrochloride also relaxes both the skeletal muscles and the smooth muscles of the intestinal tract. The drug’s effects on digestion can lead to constipation, which is one of oxymorphone’s major side effects.

If you or someone you love is struggling with oxymorphone addiction, The Recovery Village is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about oxymorphone addiction treatment programs that can work well for your needs.

Editor – Jonathan Strum

Jonathan Strum graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a Bachelor's in Communication in 2017 and has been writing professionally ever since. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Jessica Pyhtila, PharmD

Dr. Jessica Pyhtila is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland with practice sites in inpatient palliative care and outpatient primary care at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Read more