What can you tell me about the drug Oxymorphone? My doctor thinks it might help me with the chronic back pain I'm having. I've tried other narcotics without much success. Why should this work any better?

Oxymorphone is an opioid (narcotic) that has been around since the late 1950s. An extended release form was recently approved for use by the FDA. It is recommended for use by patients with moderate-to-severe pain who need constant, long-term pain control. It works best for muscular or skeletal pain and is not as effective with nerve pain.

Studies show that extended-release Oxymorphone does work. When compared to a placebo (sugar pill), patients on the oxymorphone had better pain control over a longer period of time. And unlike other opioids, they didn't need higher and higher doses to get the same effect over time. In fact, patients can remain on a stable dose of this drug for up to three months and longer.

Switching to extended-release Oxymorphone if you've been taking other opioids should be fairly easy. Your doctor may combine it with a short-acting opioid to get you started. By gradually increasing the dose, you'll have a smooth transition to this drug.