Oxymorphone (Darvon) Addiction

Oxymorphone (Darvon) is a potentially lethal and highly active drug. In 2010, various government reports showed that this drug was responsible for tens of thousands of deaths and hospitalizations. As a result, it was banned. Read on to find out more:

About Oxymorphone (Darvon)

Darvon was initially sold for the relief of mild to moderate pain. As a narcotic drug, it was also used for the treatment of migraines. Over time, however, it was banned by the FDA - the Food and Drug Administration because of the heart related risks that it was causing.

In spite of the fact that this drug was banned, some people still look for it on Google searches while trying to find out more about it. Unfortunately, you need to understand that it is still illegal even though there are some generic drugs that have substances that cause effects that are similar to those derived from Darvon.

When you take Darvon, it will reduce your perceptions of pain. It does this by interacting with the brain's opioid receptors. As a result, it will cause dopamine to be released in larger than normal amounts.

Over time, your body might become used to having Darvon in its system. This means that it will no longer be able to release dopamine naturally unless you take this drug. At this stage, you could be said to have developed tolerance and dependence on the illicit drug. At the same time, your brain might start relating the drug with the euphoria and pain free experiences that it undergoes. This is why addiction might form.

Before you use this drug, you need to talk with a doctor. This way, you will be able to understand the uses of the drug, why it was discontinued, and what being high on it is like. As a result, this could potentially help you avoid the development of addiction.

Before it was banned, Darvon was classified as a schedule IV drug under the Controlled Substances Act passed by the federal government. This meant that it had some medical uses but also came with some addiction risk. Due to the various negative reports made about it, however, the federal government banned it in 2010.

Even so, Darvon and other synthetic opioids are still in circulation today. As a controlled release drug, it will start dissolving into your bloodstream immediately after you consume it.

Other Names for Oxymorphone (Darvon)

On the streets, Darvon is known by a wide variety of names among people who are looking to avoid getting detected by law enforcement officials and other authorities. Examples of these street names include:

• 65's
• Footballs
• N's
• Pinks

Signs and Symptoms of Oxymorphone (Darvon) Addiction

Since Darvon has already been discontinued and it is no longer available for prescription, taking it could be an indication that you have a substance use problem. Over time, you may develop tolerance that could compel you to continue using the drug in higher doses or more regularly than you used to. Only by so doing will you be able to experience its pleasurable effects.

Tolerance will eventually be replaced by physical and psychological dependence. Once this happens, you could be said to be struggling with a substance use disorder or an addiction. This condition will be accompanied by the following signs and symptoms of Darvon addiction:

• An upset stomach
• Anxiety
• Become socially isolated because drug use will become your primary goal
• Becoming defensive when someone confronts you about your substance abuse
• Behavioral changes
• Being absent from school or work more often than is usual
• Constant fatigue
• Constipation
• Consulting multiple doctors so that you can obtain multiple prescriptions for drugs that cause similar effects as Darvon
• Depression after the drug's effects start wearing off
• Displaying an obsession with the drug
• Dizziness
• Drug-seeking and using behaviors, including lying and stealing
• Dry mouth
• Engaging in dangerous and hazardous behaviors, including stealing and pawning stolen items so that you can get money to buy the drug
• Euphoria
• Exhibiting strong cravings for Darvon
• Faking severe pain to get more drugs that mimic Darvon
• Feel agitated
• Feeling lightheaded
• Financial problems as a result of spending your money on the drug
• Hallucinations
• Headaches
• Impaired vision
• Inability to perform some daily tasks because you are abusing Darvon
• Mood changes
• Neglecting your appearance
• No longer showing interest in the activities that you once enjoyed
• Over sleeping
• Poor hygiene
• Regularly asking family and friends for money so that you can afford the drug
• Relationship issues due to ongoing drug use
• Seizures
• Signs of jaundice (including yellowing of the skin and eyes) due to the liver damage caused by Darvon
• Stealing Darvon
• Sweating
• Taking Darvon through unusual means, including inhaling and intravenously
• Trouble with your physical health
• Unexplained financial problems
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Worsening relationships with your family members and friends

Short and Long-Term Effects of Oxymorphone (Darvon) Abuse

If you continue abusing Darvon, you may do so by crushing it into powder form before snorting it. This will nullify its time release feature, which could flood your brain with various narcotic chemicals. As a result, you may experience an euphoric high as well as sedating sensations that could last for about 4 to 6 hours. Other short and long term effects of Darvon abuse include:

• Blurry vision
• Breathing problems
• Calmness
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Delusions of grandeur
• Discomfort
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Elation
• Euphoria
• Extended periods of sleep
• Feeling dizzy
• Frenzy-type behavior
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Hallucinations, including tactile, visual, and auditory hallucinations
• Headaches
• Impaired vision
• Jaundice
• Lack of stability
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of appetite
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Physical weakness
• Relaxed feelings
• Skin rash
• Sleepiness
• Sudden changes in your mood
• Vomiting

Additionally, abusing Darvon could enhance any suicidal ideation and feelings of depression that were pre-existing before you started taking the drug. The drug is also a central nervous system depressant. Therefore, mixing it with another depressant like alcohol could increase your risk of suffering adverse effects like coma, seizure, respiratory failure, and death.

Oxymorphone (Darvon) Overdose

If you overdose on Darvon, it means that you would have taken a dose of the drug that is too high for your body to process properly. As a result, you could suffer the following adverse effects of a drug overdose:

• Abdominal pain
• Blood pressure changes
• Bluish tinge to the skin
• Coma
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Decreased breathing rate
• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive sweating
• Extreme fatigue
• Extreme sleepiness
• Heart rate changes
• Irregular heartbeat
• Loss of appetite
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Pupils becoming small, pinpoint, or dilated
• Stopped breathing
• Stupor
• Unresponsiveness to others
• Vomiting

The risk of overdose will be heightened if you mix Darvon with any other CNS depressant drug like alcohol, a tranquilizer like barbiturates, and a sedative like benzodiazepines. You could also experience delusional and psychotic symptoms if you mix Darvon with muscle relaxants and antidepressants.

The best way to deal with a Darvon overdose is to call 911 or your local poisons control center as soon as you realize that you have started displaying some, most, or all of the signs and symptoms listed above.

Oxymorphone (Darvon) Withdrawal Symptoms

It can be difficult to break your Darvon abuse and addiction. However, if you have the proper support and resources, you may be able to stop taking this drug. If you try to do so on your own, you could suffer the following withdrawal symptoms:

• Abdominal cramps
• Abnormal skin sensations, including feeling like there are bugs crawling under your skin
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Cravings to use Darvon
• Decreased appetite
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Drug dreams
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Hallucinations
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Intense urges for the drug
• Irritability
• Mild tremors
• Mood swings
• Muscle aches
• Muscle spasms
• Nausea
• Pain
• Paranoia
• Physical aches
• Poor concentration
• Psychosis
• Racing thoughts
• Restless legs syndrome
• Restlessness
• Seizures
• Stomach aches
• Sweating
• Tremors
• Vomiting

The Best Options for Oxymorphone (Darvon) Addiction Treatment

To stop abusing Darvon, you need to check into an addiction treatment and rehabilitation center. Today, there are two main types of these centers - inpatient and outpatient programs.

Inpatient treatment would be ideal if you have a severe Darvon use disorder that requires residential services, a dual diagnosis for addiction and another medical or mental health disorder, and more than one addiction.

Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, is recommended if you have already been through an inpatient rehab center but still need additional recovery services to ensure that you overcome your Darvon addiction.

CITATIONS

https://annals.org/aim/article-abstract/683098/propoxyphene-darvon-addiction-withdrawal-syndrome

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/334699

https://www.ctsi.ucla.edu/education/files/view/training/docs/FERRANTE_M263_Opioid_Pharmacology.pdf

https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/oxymorphone.pdf

https://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/rx_drugs_placemat_508c_10052011.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4448558

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5771534

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?Term=%22oxymorphone+hydrochloride%22+OR+%22numorphan%22

https://www.rxlist.com/darvon-drug.htm