Tapentadol is a centrally-acting opioid analgesic approved by FDA for treating severe acute and chronic pain. With a dual mode of action, Tapenatdol is one of the safest, most well-tolerated, and effective most opioid analgesics on the market.
Overview
| Legal Status |
Australia (AU)- S8 (Prescription only) Canada- Schedule I (Prescription only) UK- Schedule II (Prescription) USA- Schedule II (Prescription only) |
| FDA approval | Yes, In 2008 |
| Habit-Forming | Yes |
| Therapeutic Class | Pain analgesic |
| Action Class | μ-opioid receptor & norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) |
Tapentadol is a prescription pain medicine for treating moderate to severe pain in adults. It is an opioid analgesic that works on the central nervous system (CNS). The efficacy of Tapentadol is recognized for treating acute and chronic pain conditions. It is an around-the-clock medicine when the first line of pain treatment is ineffective.
Tapentadol is an oral medication with a dual mode of action. It works as a chemical that activates the opioid receptors in the brain and restricts the reuptake of norepinephrine (a hormone that helps the transmission of nerve signals). The restriction of norepinephrine reuptake results in the analgesic effect of the medicine. Thus, Tapentadol imparts its therapeutic effect by altering the perception of pain in the CNS.
The bioavailability, or ability of Tapentadol to be absorbed by the body, is 32%. The medicine compounds' metabolism, or breaking down, occurs in the liver. The elimination half-life, or the time it takes for the medicine to be reduced by half, is 4 hours. Excretion occurs through the kidney in the form of feces and urine.
Uses
Other non-medical uses of Tapentadol can also provide relief from postoperative pain symptoms. Studies indicate this opioid analgesic has proven to improve pain levels in fibromyalgia patients (wide-spreading muscle pain).
Dosage
Note : Do not alter the dose or duration for longer than the prescribed period.
Taking this medicine in more than the prescribed quantity can result in an overdose. Seek immediate medical help if you suffer from overdose symptoms such as passing out and breathing difficulties.
Do not take two tablets simultaneously to compensate for the missed dose upon missing dose. Take medicine as per the daily routine.
Abruptly quitting the medication can cause withdrawal symptoms of anxiety, loss of appetite, etc. Healthcare professionals recommend the Tapentadol tapering-off method by lowering the medicine dosage slowly and then stopping it.
Warning
Drug interaction
| Major Interaction | Moderate Interaction |
|---|---|
| Amphetamine | Apomorphine |
| Baclofen | Bitolterol |
| Butorphanol | Brexanolone |
| Chlormezanone | Cetirizine |
| Diazepam | Dicyclomine |
| Esketamine | Entacapone |
| Halazepam | Flibanserin |
| Methocarbamol | Ketamine |
Note : This is not a complete list of all the drugs. Consult a health expert for further assistance.
Side Effects
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