Tapentadol (Nucynta)

MORE INFORMATION

What is Tapentadol?

Tapentadol is an opioid pain medicine that provides relief from moderate to severe pain.

You can buy this medication only after a prescription from your doctor from a licensed pharmacy.

When other non-opioid drugs do not work effectively in managing your pain, doctors recommend Tapentadol.

Tapentadol belongs to a class of drugs known as narcotic analgesics that relieve pain by acting on central nervous system.

However, this medicine is not usually suggested for treatment of chronic pain ailments (long term). 

Tapentadol extended-release tablet is prescribed to treat serious neuropathic pain in people having diabetes.

Tapentadol extended-release tablet is for people who need medicine around the clock to relieve pain as other pain pills are not working.

Extended-release form of this medicine is not meant for use on as-required basis to treat pain.

Working mechanism of Tapentadol

Tapentadol belongs to a class of drugs called opioid analgesics which provide quick relief from pain.

This medicine starts to work directly on opioid receptors present in your central nervous system.

In this way, Tapentadol decreases feeling of pain by interrupting way your nerves signal pain between brain and body.

Dosage of Tapentadol

Before you start taking Tapentadol or before each refill, you must read patient information leaflet carefully.

If there is any doubt or confusion about medicine or its dosage then discuss it with doctor.

Tapentadol is available in tablet and an extended-release form that can be taken by mouth.

This medicine is taken with or without food after every 4 to 6 hours as directed by a doctor.

In case, you have nausea then try taking this medicine with food as it can help.

You can also ask your doctor about different ways to decrease nausea during treatment with Tapentadol.

Doctor will determine dosage of Tapentadol based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Generally, your doctor will start treatment with a low dose of Tapentadol and then increase unless pain is controlled.

At any time during treatment, your doctor might adjust dosage of Tapentadol tablet if pain is not controlled.

Never increase dosage of Tapentadol or use this medicine more often or for a long time than prescribed.

Pain medicines show their effective results only when they are used as first sign of pain.

This medicine will not work well if you wait until your pain becomes worse.

Suddenly stopping treatment with Tapentadol can cause withdrawal, mainly when you have used it for a long time or in high doses.

To prevent withdrawal, your doctor might lower dose of Tapentadol tablet slowly.

When you experience withdrawal symptoms like mental/mood changes, and restlessness then inform doctor.

If Tapentadol is used for a long time then this medicine might not work effectively. 

Let your doctor know immediately if this medicine stops working well and does not provide relief from pain.

Missed dose

When taking Tapentadol tablets, your doctor will probably tell you to take this medicine as required.

If your doctor has suggested taking medicine regularly then take a missed dose as soon as you remember.

Just to make up for your missed dose of Tapentadol, do not take a double dose.

If taking tapentadol extended-release capsules then skip your missed dose and continue with regular dosage schedule.

Overdose

An overdose of Tapentadol can be fatal, mainly in children or person who use opioid medication without a prescription.

Overdose symptoms mainly include slow breathing, serious drowsiness, or no breathing.

If you suffer from an overdose of this medicine then immediately contact your doctor and stop taking Tapentadol.

Precautions and warnings for Tapentadol

Do not use a Tapentadol tablet, if you have already used an MAO inhibitor in last 14 days.

A dangerous interaction might occur and make you suffer from serious side effects.

MAO inhibitors mainly include methylene blue injection, isocarboxazid, selegiline, linezolid, phenelzine, or rasagiline.

Before taking Tapentadol, inform doctor if you are allergic to it or have any other type of allergies.

This medicine can contain some inactive ingredients and cause serious allergic reactions or problems.

Inform doctor about following medical history if you have any, before starting treatment with Tapentadol:

• Brain problems like tumors, seizures, and head injury
• Mental or mood disorders such as depression, confusion, or thoughts of suicide
• Breathing issues like sleep apnea, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Personal or family history of a substance use disorder
• Liver disorder
• Gallbladder disease
• Kidney problems
• Intestinal or stomach problems like diarrhea, blockage, and constipation
• Disease of pancreas
• Problem in urination

Let your doctor know beforehand if you take any herbal supplements including St. John’s wort and tryptophan.

This medicine can also affect fertility in men and women. So, discuss with your doctor about all risks beforehand.

Some patients can also experience constipation during treatment with Tapentadol.

Talk to doctor once about changing your diet or suggesting other medicines to treat or prevent constipation.

Side effects of Tapentadol

Tapentadol can cause some side effects including mild and severe. Below-stated are some common side effects:

• Anxiety
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Heartburn
• Drowsiness
• Excessive tiredness
• Abnormal dreams
• Irritability
• A sudden feeling of warmth
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep

Here are serious side effects of Tapentadol:

• Seizures
• Rash
• Agitation, hallucinations, confusion, fast heartbeat, loss of coordination, diarrhea
• Itching
• Hives
• Reduced sexual desire
• Irregular menstruation
• Trouble in getting or maintaining an erection
• Chest pain
• Heavy sweating

Call your doctor immediately, if any of these side effects persist or become worse with time.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can change how your medicine works or might increase risk of experiencing severe side effects.

Some products that interact with Tapentadol tablets include:

• Certain pain medicines like butorphanol
• Samidorphan
• Naltrexone
• MAO inhibitors such as metaxalone, isocarboxazid, linezolid

Make sure you discuss with doctor about drug interactions properly before taking Tapentadol.

Storage

Tapentadol must be stored at room temperature right away from moisture, heat, and sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 Is it safe to take Tapentadol?

Yes, this medicine is safe to take under a doctor’s supervision.

It does not cause severe side effects if recommendation of a doctor is followed closely.

Can you stop taking Tapentadol if you feel better?

No, do not stop taking Tapentadol even if you feel better after a few days.

Make sure you complete a full course of treatment without skipping any dose.

What should I avoid when taking Tapentadol?

It is important to strictly avoid alcohol consumption as it can cause serious side effects.

Also, effectiveness of Tapentadol is reduced by taking alcohol.