OPANA ER is indicated for the relief of moderate to severe pain in patients requiring continuous, around-the-clock opioid treatment for an extended period of time.

OPANA ER is not intended for use as a prn analgesic.

OPANA ER is not indicated for pain in the immediate post-operative period (12-24 hours following surgery) for patients not previously taking opioids because of the risk of oversedation and respiratory depression requiring reversal with opioid antagonists.

OPANA ER is not indicated for pain in the post-operative period if the pain is mild or not expected to persist for an extended period of time.

OPANA ER TABLETS are to be swallowed whole and are not to be broken, chewed, dissolved, or crushed. Taking broken, chewed, dissolved, or crushed OPANA ER TABLETS leads to rapid release and absorption of a potentially fatal dose of oxymorphone.

Patients must not consume alcoholic beverages, or prescription or non-prescription medications containing alcohol, while on OPANA ER therapy. The co-ingestion of alcohol with OPANA ER may result in increased plasma levels and a potentially fatal overdose of oxymorphone.

OPANA ER is an opioid agonist and a Schedule II controlled substance with an abuse liability similar to morphine and other opioids.

OPANA ER, like morphine and other opioids used in analgesia, can be abused and is subject to criminal diversion.

OPANA ER tablets are to be swallowed whole, and are not to be broken, chewed, crushed or dissolved. Taking broken, chewed, crushed or dissolved OPANA ER tablets leads to the rapid release and absorption of a potentially fatal dose of oxymorphone.

While symmetric (same dose AM and PM), around-the-clock, every 12 hours dosing is appropriate for the majority of patients, some patients may benefit from asymmetric (different dose given in AM than in PM) dosing, tailored to their pain pattern. It is usually appropriate to treat a patient with only one extended-release opioid for around-the-clock therapy.

Selection of patients for treatment with OPANA ER should be governed by the same principles that apply to the use of other extended-release opioid analgesics (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE). As with any opioid drug product, it is necessary to adjust the dosing regimen for each patient individually, taking into account the patient's prior analgesic treatment experience. Physicians should individualize treatment in every case (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION), using non-opioid analgesics, prn opioids and/or combination products, and chronic opioid therapy in a progressive plan of pain management such as outlined by the World Health Organization, the American Pain Society and the Federation of State Medical Boards Model Guidelines. Healthcare professionals should follow appropriate pain management principles of careful assessment and ongoing monitoring (see BOXED WARNING).

In the selection of the initial dose of OPANA ER, attention should be given to the following:

1. The total daily dose, potency and specific characteristics of the opioid the patient has been taking previously;
2. The relative potency estimate used to calculate the equivalent oxymorphone dose needed;
3. The patient's degree of opioid tolerance;
4. The age, general condition, and medical status of the patient;
5. Concurrent non-opioid analgesic and other medications;
6. The type and severity of the patient's pain;
7. The balance between pain control and adverse experiences;
8. Risk factors for abuse, addiction or diversion, including a prior history of abuse, addiction or diversion.

The following dosing recommendations, therefore, can only be considered as suggested approaches to what is actually a series of clinical decisions over time in the management of the pain of each individual patient.

OPANA ER should be administered on an empty stomach, at least one hour prior to or two hours after eating.

Initiation of Therapy

Opioid-Naïve Patients

It is suggested that patients who are not opioid-experienced being initiated on chronic around-the-clock opioid therapy be started with OPANA ER 5 mg every 12 hours. Thereafter, it is recommended that the dose be individually titrated, preferably at increments of 5-10 mg every 12 hours every 3-7 days, to a level that provides adequate analgesia and minimizes side effects under the close supervision of the prescribing physician (see CLINICAL TRIALS: 12-Week Study in Opioid-Naïve Patients with Low Back Pain).

Opioid-Experienced Patients

Conversion from OPANA to OPANA ER

Patients receiving OPANA may be converted to OPANA ER by administering half the patient's total daily oral OPANA dose as OPANA ER, every 12 hours. For example, a patient receiving 40 mg/day OPANA may require 20 mg OPANA ER every 12 hours.

Conversion from Parenteral Oxymorphone to OPANA ER

Given the absolute oral bioavailability of approximately 10%, patients receiving parenteral oxymorphone may be converted to OPANA ER by administering 10 times the patient's total daily parenteral oxymorphone dose as OPANA ER in two equally divided doses (e.g., IV dose x 10/2). For example, approximately 20 mg of OPANA ER, every 12 hours, may be required to provide pain relief equivalent to a total daily dose of 4 mg of parenteral oxymorphone. Due to patient variability with regards to opioid analgesic response, upon conversion patients should be closely monitored to ensure adequate analgesia and to minimize side effects.

Conversion from Other Oral Opioids to OPANA ER

For conversion from other opioids to OPANA ER, physicians and other healthcare professionals are advised to refer to published relative potency information, keeping in mind that conversion ratios are only approximate. In general, it is safest to start the OPANA ER therapy by administering half of the calculated total daily dose of OPANA ER (see conversion ratio table below) in 2 divided doses, every 12 hours. The initial dose of OPANA ER can be gradually adjusted until adequate pain relief and acceptable side effects have been achieved. The following table provides approximate equivalent doses, which may be used as a guideline for conversion. The conversion ratios and approximate equivalent doses in this conversion table are only to be used for the conversion from current opioid therapy to OPANA ER. In a Phase 3 clinical trial with an open-label titration period, patients were converted from their current opioid to OPANA ER using the following table as a guide. In general, patients were able to successfully titrate to a stabilized dose of OPANA ER within 4 weeks (see CLINICAL TRIALS: 12-Week Study in Opioid-Experienced Patients with Low Back Pain). There is substantial patient variation in the relative potency of different opioid drugs and formulations.

CONVERSION RATIOS TO OPANA ER

Individualization of Dose

Once therapy is initiated, pain relief and other opioid effects should be frequently assessed. In clinical practice, titration of the total daily OPANA ER dose should be based upon the amount of supplemental opioid utilization, severity of the patient's pain, and the patient's ability to tolerate the opioid. Patients should be titrated to generally mild or no pain with the regular use of no more than two doses of supplemental analgesia, i.e. “rescue,” per 24 hours.

If signs of excessive opioid-related adverse experiences are observed, the next dose may be reduced. If this adjustment leads to inadequate analgesia, a supplemental dose of OPANA, another immediate-release opioid, or a non-opioid analgesic may be administered. Dose adjustments should be made to obtain an appropriate balance between pain relief and opioid-related adverse experiences. If significant adverse events occur before the therapeutic goal of mild or no pain is achieved, the events should be treated aggressively. Once adverse events are under control, upward titration should continue to an acceptable level of pain control.

During periods of changing analgesic requirements, including initial titration, frequent contact is recommended between physician, other members of the healthcare team, the patient and the caregiver/family. Patients and caregivers/family members should be advised of the potential side effects.

Patients with Hepatic Impairment

Patients with mild hepatic impairment should be started with the lowest dose and titrated slowly while carefully monitoring side effects. OPANA ER is contraindicated in patients with moderate and severe hepatic dysfunction(see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, CONTRAINDICATIONS and PRECAUTIONS).

Patients with Renal Impairment

There are 57% and 65% increases in oxymorphone bioavailability in patients with moderate and severe renal impairment, respectively (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY and PRECAUTIONS). Accordingly, in patients with creatinine clearance rate less than 50 mL/min, OPANA ER should be started with the lowest dose and titrated slowly while carefully monitoring side effects.

Use with CNS Depressants

OPANA ER, like all opioid analgesics, should be started at 1/3 to 1/2 of the usual dose in patients who are concurrently receiving other central nervous system depressants including sedatives or hypnotics, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, tranquilizers, and alcohol because respiratory depression, hypotension, and profound sedation or coma may result. No specific interaction between oxymorphone and monoamine oxidase inhibitors has been observed, but caution in the use of any opioid in patients taking this class of drugs is appropriate (see PRECAUTIONS: General and PRECAUTIONS: Drug-Drug Interactions).

Geriatrics

The steady-state plasma concentrations of oxymorphone are approximately 40% higher in elderly subjects than in young subjects (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY and PRECAUTIONS). In general, caution should be exercised in the selection of the starting dose of OPANA ER for an elderly patient usually starting at the low end of the dosing range and slowly titrating to adequate analgesia.

Maintenance of Therapy and Supplemental Analgesia

The intent of the titration period is to establish a patient-specific every 12 hours dose that will maintain adequate analgesia with acceptable side effects for as long as pain relief is necessary. During titration and before a stable dose is achieved, OPANA or other immediate-release medications can be used as supplemental analgesia between dosings. Should pain recur, the dose can be incrementally increased to re-establish pain control. The method of therapy adjustment outlined above should be employed to re-establish pain control.

During chronic therapy with OPANA ER, the continued need for around-the-clock opioid therapy should be reassessed periodically.

Cessation of Therapy

When the patient no longer requires therapy with OPANA ER tablets, doses should be tapered gradually to prevent signs and symptoms of withdrawal in the physically dependent patient (see CLINICAL TRIALS: 12-Week Study in Opioid-Naïve Patients with Low Back Pain and CLINICAL TRIALS: 12-Week Study in Opioid-Experienced Patients with Low Back Pain).

SAFETY AND HANDLING

OPANA ER contains oxymorphone, which is a controlled substance. Oxymorphone is controlled under Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act. Oxymorphone, like all opioids, is liable to diversion and misuse and should be handled accordingly. Patients and their families should be instructed to flush any OPANA ER tablets that are no longer needed.

OPANA ER may be targeted for theft and diversion. Healthcare professionals should contact their State Medical Board, State Board of Pharmacy or State Control Board for information on how to detect or prevent diversion of this product.

Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°-30°C (59°-86°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Dispense in tight container as defined in the USP, with a child-resistant closure (as required).

OPANA ER tablets are supplied as follows:

5 mg

Pink, octagon shape, film coated, convex tablets with“E907” over “5” in black print on one side and plain on the other.

Bottles of 100 with child-resistant closure                          NDC 63481-907-70
Unit-Dose package of 100 tablets (5 blister cards of 20 tablets, not child-resistant, for hospital use only)               NDC 63481-907-75

10 mg

Light orange, octagon shape, film coated, convex tablets with “E674” over “10” in black print on one side and plain on the other.

Bottles of 100 with child-resistant closure                          NDC 63481-674-70
Unit-Dose package of 100 tablets (5 blister cards of 20 tablets, not child-resistant, for hospital use only)               NDC 63481-674-75

20 mg

Light green, octagon shape, film coated, convex tablets with “E617” over “20” in black print on one side and plain on the other.

Bottles of 100 with child-resistant closure                          NDC 63481-617-70
Unit-Dose package of 100 tablets (5 blister cards of 20 tablets, not child-resistant, for hospital use only)               NDC 63481-617-75

40 mg

Yellow, octagon shape, film coated, convex tablets with “E693” over “40” in black print on one side and plain on the other.

Bottles of 100 with child-resistant closure                          NDC 63481-693-70
Unit-Dose package of 100 tablets (5 blister cards of 20 tablets, not child-resistant, for hospital use only)               NDC 63481-693-75

CAUTION

DEA Order Form Required.

Manufactured for: Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania 19317 Manufactured by: Novartis Consumer Health Inc. Lincoln, NE 68517
TIMERx®-N is a registered Trademark of Penwest Pharmaceuticals Co., Danbury, Connecticut and is used herein pursuant to a license agreement between Penwest and Endo Pharmaceuticals. 200218A/June, 2007
FDA rev date: 7/9/2007

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