Tapentadol is a prescription pain medication used for moderate to severe pain. It works through both opioid activity and nerve pain modulation, making it useful for mixed pain types.
Main benefits:
Treats moderate to severe acute pain
Effective for chronic pain, including neuropathic pain
May cause less nausea and constipation than some traditional opioids
Available in immediate-release and extended-release forms
Main side effects:
Drowsiness and dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Headache
Sweating
Risk of dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal with long-term use
Tapentadol should be used exactly as prescribed and with caution due to its opioid-related risks.