OXYMORPHONE HYDROCHLORIDE (Page 4 of 9)

5.8 Adrenal Insufficiency

Cases of adrenal insufficiency have been reported with opioid use, more often following greater than one month of use. Presentation of adrenal insufficiency may include non-specific symptoms and signs including nausea, vomiting, anorexia, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, and low blood pressure. If adrenal insufficiency is suspected, confirm the diagnosis with diagnostic testing as soon as possible. If adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed, treat with physiologic replacement doses of corticosteroids. Wean the patient off of the opioid to allow adrenal function to recover and continue corticosteroid treatment until adrenal function recovers. Other opioids may be tried as some cases reported use of a different opioid without recurrence of adrenal insufficiency. The information available does not identify any particular opioids as being more likely to be associated with adrenal insufficiency.

5.9 Severe Hypotension

Oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets may cause severe hypotension including orthostatic hypotension and syncope in ambulatory patients. There is increased risk in patients whose ability to maintain blood pressure has already been compromised by a reduced blood volume or concurrent administration of certain CNS depressant drugs (e.g., phenothiazines or general anesthetics) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) and Drug Interactions (7)]. Monitor these patients for signs of hypotension after initiating or titrating the dosage of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets. In patients with circulatory shock, oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets may cause vasodilation that can further reduce cardiac output and blood pressure. Avoid the use of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets in patients with circulatory shock.

5.10 Risks of Use in Patients with Increased Intracranial Pressure, Brain Tumors, Head Injury, or Impaired Consciousness

In patients who may be susceptible to the intracranial effects of CO2 retention (e.g., those with evidence of increased intracranial pressure or brain tumors), oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets may reduce respiratory drive, and the resultant CO2 retention can further increase intracranial pressure. Monitor such patients for signs of sedation and respiratory depression, particularly when initiating therapy with oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets.

Opioids may also obscure the clinical course in a patient with a head injury. Avoid the use of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets in patients with impaired consciousness or coma.

5.11 Risks of Use in Patients with Gastrointestinal Conditions

Oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in patients with known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus.

The oxymorphone in oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets may cause spasm of the sphincter of Oddi. Opioids may cause increases in serum amylase. Monitor patients with biliary tract disease, including acute pancreatitis for worsening symptoms.

5.12 Increased Risk of Seizures in Patients with Seizure Disorders

The oxymorphone in oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets may increase the frequency of seizures in patients with seizure disorders, and may increase the risk of seizures occurring in other clinical settings associated with seizures. Monitor patients with a history of seizure disorders for worsened seizure control during oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets therapy.

5.13 Withdrawal

Do not abruptly discontinue oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets in a patient physically dependent on opioids. When discontinuing oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets in a physically dependent patient, gradually taper the dosage. Rapid tapering of oxymorphone in a patient physically dependent on opioids may lead to a withdrawal syndrome and return of pain [see Dosage and Administration (2.8), Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.3)].

Additionally, avoid the use of mixed agonist/antagonist (e.g, pentazocine, nalbuphine, and butorphanol) or partial agonist (e.g., buprenorphine) analgesics in patients who are receiving a full opioid agonist analgesic, including oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets. In these patients, mixed agonist/antagonist and partial agonist analgesics may reduce the analgesic effect and/or may precipitate withdrawal symptoms [see Drug Interactions (7)].

5.14 Risks of Driving and Operating Machinery

Oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets may impair the mental or physical abilities needed to perform potentially hazardous activities such as driving a car or operating machinery. Warn patients not to drive or operate dangerous machinery unless they are tolerant to the effects of oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets and know how they will react to the medication.

5.15 Hepatic Impairment

A study of extended-release oxymorphone tablets in patients with hepatic disease indicated greater plasma concentrations than in those with normal hepatic function [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)]. Use oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets with caution in patients with mild impairment, starting with the lowest dose and titrating slowly while carefully monitoring for side effects [see Dosage and Administration (2.2, 2.3)]. Oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS

The following serious adverse reactions are described, or described in greater detail, in other sections:

  • Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]
  • Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)]
  • Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)]
  • Interactions with Benzodiazepines and Other CNS Depressants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]
  • Anaphylaxis, Angioedema, and Other Hypersensitivity Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)]
  • Adrenal Insufficiency [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)]
  • Severe Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)]
  • Gastrointestinal Adverse Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11)]
  • Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)]
  • Withdrawal [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13)]

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Adult Clinical Trial Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

A total of 591 patients were treated with oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets in controlled clinical trials. The clinical trials consisted of patients with acute postoperative pain (n=557) and cancer pain (n=34) trials.

The following table lists adverse reactions that were reported in at least 2% of patients receiving oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets in placebo-controlled trials (acute postoperative pain (N=557)).

Table 1
(click image for full-size original)

The common (≥1% — <10%) adverse drug reactions reported at least once by patients treated with oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets in the clinical trials organized by MedDRA’s (Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities) System Organ Class were and not represented in Table 1:

Cardiac disorders: tachycardia

Gastrointestinal disorders: dry mouth, abdominal distention, and flatulence

General disorders and administration site conditions: sweating increased

Nervous system disorders: anxiety and sedation

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders: hypoxia

Vascular disorders: hypotension

Other less common adverse reactions known with opioid treatment that were seen <1% in the oxymorphone hydrochloride tablets trials includes the following:

Abdominal pain, ileus, diarrhea, agitation, disorientation, restlessness, feeling jittery, hypersensitivity, allergic reactions, bradycardia, central nervous system depression, depressed level of consciousness, lethargy, mental impairment, mental status changes, fatigue, depression, clamminess, flushing, hot flashes, dehydration, dermatitis, dyspepsia, dysphoria, edema, euphoric mood, hallucination, hypertension, insomnia, miosis, nervousness, palpitation, postural hypotension, syncope, dyspnea, respiratory depression, respiratory distress, respiratory rate decreased, oxygen saturation decreased, difficult micturition, urinary retention, urticaria, vision blurred, visual disturbances, weakness, appetite decreased, and weight decreased.

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