Oxymorphol is oxymorphone which has been hydrogenated at the 6-position and consists of a mixture of 4,5α-Epoxy-17-methylmorphinan-3,6β,14-triol and 4,5α-Epoxy-17-methylmorphinan-3,6α,14-triol (hydromorphinol).[1] It is produced by the human body as an active metabolite of oxymorphone and some bacteria as an intermediate in turning morphine into hydromorphone.[2] It can also be manufactured and is the subject of patents by drug companies looking for new semi-synthetic analgesics and cough suppressants.
A derivative of oxymorphol, 8-hydroxy-6-α-oxymorphol, was discovered in the first decade of the 21st century and the subject of a patent application by Endo Pharmaceuticals for an analgesic and antitussive.[3]