TAPENTADOL

Tapentadol is a centrally-acting pain reliever that inhibits pain signals by binding to mu-opiate receptors in the brain and in the spinal cord. It is also said to inhibit norepinephrine reuptake to alter pain response.

Uses

Tapentadol is used in the treatment of moderate to severe acute pain, and in neuropathic pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.

Warnings

Tapentadol should not be given to people with the following conditions:

Significant respiratory depression
Acute or severe bronchial asthma or hypercapnia
Known or suspected paralytic ileus
Acute intoxication with alcohol, hypnotics, centrally acting analgesics or psychotropic active substances
Concurrent or recent (within 2 weeks) therapy with MAOIs

Side Effects

Tapentadol may have the following side effects:

Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Somnolence
Constipation
Pruritus
Dry mouth
Hyperhidrosis
Fatigue
CNS depression
Seizures
Orthostatic hypotension
Syncope
Respiratory depression

Precautions

Precautions

Take extra precautions in patients with the following conditions:

Impaired respiratory function
Head injury
Brain tumours
Biliary tract disease (including acute pancreatitis)
History of seizure disorder
Moderate to severe liver impairment
Severe kidney impairment
Pregnancy and lactation

Interactions

Tapentadol may interact with the following medicines:

Drugs that enhance monoaminergic neurotransmission (e.g. TCAs, triptans, SSRIs, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
Benzodiazepines
Barbiturates
Antipsychotics
H1-antihistamines
Other opioids
Mixed μ-opioid agonists/antagonists (e.g. nalbuphine, pentazocine)
Partial μ-opioid agonists (e.g. buprenorphine)
Strong inhibitors of UGT1A6, UGT1A9 and UGT2B7 isoenzymes
Strong enzyme inducers (e.g. rifampicin, phenobarbital)
MAOIs

Overdose & Brands

Symptoms of overdose include the following:

Vomiting
Miosis
CV collapse
Consciousness disorders up to coma
Convulsions
Respiratory depression and arrest

Seek medical help immediately

Available Brands:

Nucynta
Palexia
Tapal