Tapentadol
About
Tapentadol is an opioid painkiller used to alleviate moderate to severe pain. Pain is an unpleasant sensory and expressive experience caused by real or potential tissue injury.
Tapentadol composed of Tapentadol; it acts directly on opioid receptors in the central nervous system, reducing feelings of pain by interfering with the way neurons convey pain between the brain and the body.
Tapentadol should be taken only if prescribed by the doctor. The possible common side effects of Tapentadol are constipation, nausea, sleepiness, vomiting, tiredness, headache, dizziness, and abdominal pain. Report to your healthcare provider if any of these symptoms persist or worsen.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any content of this medicine before taking Tapentadol. If you have asthma or breathing problems, gastrointestinal obstruction, and paralysis of the gut or ileus, please let your doctor know before prescribing Tapentadol to you. Inform your doctor if you are experiencing acute poisoning from alcohol, sleeping pills, pain relievers, or other psychotropic medications. If you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine. Do not discontinue Tapentadol without first consulting your doctor, and your doctor may gradually reduce the dose to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Uses of Tapentadol
Medicinal Benefits
Tapentadol is a strong painkiller that belongs to the class of opioids and is used for treating moderate to severe pain. Tapentadol acts directly on opioid receptors in the central nervous system, reducing feelings of pain by interfering with the way neurons convey pain between the brain and the body. Thus, it relieves the pain that occurs due to various medical conditions.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Tapentadol
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Somnolence
- Decreased appetite
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Hallucination
- Sleep problem
- Abnormal dreams
- Trembling
- Flushing
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Indigestion
- Dry mouth
- Itching
- Increased sweating
- Rash
- Muscle cramps
- Feeling of weakness
- Fatigue
- Feeling of body temperature change
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are hypersensitive or allergic to any of the ingredients in Tapentadol, do not take it. Please do not stop taking Tapentadol without first consulting your doctor, as this may result in withdrawal symptoms. If you are pregnant or nursing, do not take the Tapentadol unless your doctor has recommended it. Tapentadol may cause drowsiness and blurred vision; therefore, drive only if you are awake. Tapentadol is not recommended for children because its safety and effectiveness have not been proven. Drinking alcohol while taking Tapentadol may cause drowsiness and fatigue. If you are having suicidal thoughts, consult a doctor right away.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Tapentadol may interact with certain antidepressants or antipsychotics (e.g. duloxetine, venlafaxine, escitalopram, desvenlafaxine, quetiapine, linezolid), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline), anticonvulsant (e.g. pregabalin), narcotic analgesics (e.g. naloxone, oxycodone), medicine for anxiety and seizures (e.g. diazepam, alprazolam).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Tapentadol interacts with disease conditions including impaired GI motility, infectious diarrhoea, liver disease, prematurity, acute alcohol intoxication, drug dependence, gastrointestinal obstruction, hypotension, intracranial pressure, respiratory depression, biliary spasm, renal dysfunction, seizure disorders, and urinary retention.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeDrinking alcohol while taking Tapentadol may aggravate some side effects, such as tiredness and dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionTapentadol should not be used in pregnancy unless clearly necessary. So, if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Tapentadol.
Breast Feeding
cautionThere is little information available on the use of Tapentadol while breastfeeding. Because it has opioid agonist activity, it is preferable to use another medication, especially if you are nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Newborn infants appear to be especially sensitive to the effects of even low-dose narcotic analgesics.
Driving
unsafeDo not drive or operate machinery as Tapentadol may impair the mental or physical abilities.
Liver
cautionTapentadol is not recommended in patients with severe liver problems. If you have moderate problems, your doctor will recommend a different dosage regimen. In case of mild liver problems, a dosage adjustment is not required.
Kidney
cautionA dose adjustment is not required if you have mild to moderate kidney problems. Do not take Tapentadol if you have severe kidney problems.
Children
cautionTablet forms of Tapentadol are not suggested for children and adolescents below the age of 18 years.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include vitamin B and D-rich foods in your diet.
- Exercising regularly helps to improve overall health and combat pain.
- Rest well and get plenty of rest.
- Taking a warm bath can be very relaxing.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Meditation and yoga can reduce stress and pain sensitivity and improve coping skills.
- Acupuncture, by stimulating pressure points, can be beneficial.
- Massages with essential oils can help increase circulation.
Special Advise
- Do not take Tapentadol for longer than it is prescribed because repeatedly using it may make your body dependent on it. If you stop taking Tapentadol suddenly, it can cause withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness and irritability. The doctor will recommend that you reduce your dose slowly to prevent the risk of withdrawal effects.
- Tapentadol is a controlled drug, and you must take a prescription while travelling abroad.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Pain: Pain is a symptom triggered by the nervous system, causing uncomfortable sensations in the body. Pain may be dull or sharp, constant, or may come and go. The tolerance level of pain might vary from person to person. Pain can be generalized (overall body aches) or localized (affecting a specific body area). Pain can be considered a good thing as it helps us know something is wrong in the body and helps diagnose the condition. The common causes of pain include headache, muscle strain, cramps, cuts, bone fractures and arthritis.
FAQs
Tapentadol acts directly on opioid receptors in the central nervous system, reducing pain by interfering with the way neurons convey pain between the brain and the body.
Usually, no dose modification is required in geriatric patients (those over the age of 65). On the other hand, Tapentadol excretion may be delayed in some people of this age group. In such a case, your doctor may advise you to try an alternative dosage regimen.
Tapentadol is safe when using the lowest effective doses for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.
Do not immediately quit Tapentadol since the quick discontinuation of opioid analgesics has resulted in severe withdrawal symptoms, uncontrolled pain, and suicidal thoughts in physically dependent patients.
Tapentadol contains tapentadol, a Schedule II controlled medication. Controlled medication is a drug or substance that the government strictly regulates due to the possibility of abuse or addiction.
