Due to a severe broken neck injury that my husband completely recovered from, he lives with a lot of daily pain. His pain management doctor put him on Opana, which is the only thing that has helped him (he's tried other pain medications) he has no evident side effects, however, I am concerned about it's effect on a man's testestorone level, he has had difficulty with this and has been on Testim, then injections, and now HCG injections as we would like to start a family. My question is does Opana cause birth defects in an unborn fetus if we were to become pregnant? Also does it interfere with libido, or cause T levels issues that he is trying to control. I have been on line, and cannot fide this information, please help.
Optional Information: Gender: Male Age: 38 Already Tried: My husband broke his neck about 10 years ago, and lives with a lot of pain. His pain management doctor put him on Opana, which he finds very helpful. In the past due to pain meds he suffered from low Testestorone levels, was treated with Testim gel, T injections, and now HCG injections as we want to start a family. My question is does Opana cause birth defects in an unborn fetus since we are trying to become pregnant? Also will it start to effect the T levels he has tried so hard to steady?
There is no reason to think that Opana will interfere with his fertility or cause any harm to the unborn child. If he has other reasons for low testosterone then you should ask for sperm sample analysis. It is also important that you have regular monthly periods. If you have been trying to conceive for more than 12 months then you will need additional testing too.
Experience: MRPharmS since 1993
I already replied, so I will probably be charged for an additional question
If you have a follow up question to the above then you will not be charged unless you press the 'accept' again..... I will be offline for twelve hours but will check back to see if you need more help.
If you can responsd, I would appreciate it Pauline, I was relieved to hear that Opana should not have any negative effects on fertility or affect the health of an unborn fetus we are trying to conceive. My only concern is that I thought Opana falls into the same catagory as Opiots, or oxycodone, and I know those were the drugs that may have lowered my husbands Testestorone levels to begin with. If Opana does not fall into the same catoagory, I am certainly relieved to hear it, but just wanted to double check with you. He is under the care of a Urologist to monitor the T levels, and the next step would be to have a sperm workup. In the meantime, any info you have in addition to what you already told me would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance for your kind and prompt attention. I realize I porobably won't hear from you until Monday. Thanks again.
Studies of Opana in animal models did not show any reduction in fertility, or adverse effect on embryo.
Although as a class opioids can have an impact on reproductive organs, I personally have not had any patients who have described this as a problem. Although it should be part of the differential diagnosis, the history should also be taken to exclude other possible causes and investigations done as necessary. However if you are aiming for pregnancy then you need the sperm sample to determine if you may need intervention such as IVF treatment to help conceive.