Opana is a brand name for oxymorphone hydrochloride, a potent opioid pain medication used to manage moderate to severe pain. Oxymorphone, the active ingredient in Opana, is a semi-synthetic opioid derived from thebaine, an alkaloid found in the opium poppy. Opana is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States due to its high potential for abuse and dependence.
Opana comes in two formulations: immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER). The immediate-release form is typically prescribed for acute pain relief, providing rapid onset of action, while the extended-release form is designed for chronic pain management, releasing the medication slowly over time to provide continuous pain control.