Tapentadol

Narcotic Analgesic · Opioid analgesic

Indications

Moderate to severe pain.

Dosage

ORAL: Adults: Usual dose: 100-250 mg every 12 hrs. Pain: Immediate release tab/soln: Day 1: 50-100 mg (2.5-5 mL) every 4-6 hrs as required. After 1 hr, second dose may be administered. Max: 700 mg/day. Day 2 and onwards: Same as Day 1. Max: 600 mg/day. Conversion from tapentadol IR to ER: Same total daily dose but divide into 2 equal doses and administer every 12 hrs. Extended-release: Opioid-naive: Initially 50 mg every 12 hrs. Conversion from other opioids to tapentadol ER: Initially 50 mg every 12 hrs. Conversion from IR to ER: Same total daily dose but divide into 2 equal doses and administer every 12 hrs. Neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Extended-release: Opioid- naive: Initially 50 mg every 12 hrs. Conversion from other opioids to tapentadol ER: Initially 50 mg every 12 hrs. Conversion from tapentadol IR to ER: Same total daily dose but divide into…

Adverse Effects

Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, somnolence, abdominal discomfort, anxiety, ataxia, reduced appetite, diarrhoea, dysarthria, dyspepsia, hypoaesthesia, malaise, muscle spasms, paraesthesia, seizures, tremor, weight loss.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: Risk cannot be ruled out. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Acute respiratory depression, GI obstruction, severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min), severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C), severe CNS depression, increased cerebrospinal or intracranial pressure or head injury. Precautions: COPD, mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder). Morbidly obese patients. Elderly. Mild to moderate renal impairment. Moderate hepatic impairment. Adrenal insufficiency (including Addison disease), biliary tract dysfunction or acute pancreatitis, history of seizures, prostatic hyperplasia, thyroid dysfunction.

Advice to Patient

Take with or without meals. Avoid alcohol during treatment. Contact prescriber if there is slow/shallow breathing, unusual lightheadedness, severe drowsiness/dizziness, difficulty waking up.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid and complete. Metabolism: Extensive hepatic metabolism, including first-pass metabolism. Bioavailability: Approx. 32%. Half-life elimination: Immediate release: Approx. 4 hrs. Long acting formulations: Approx. 5-6 hrs. Time to peak, plasma: Immediate release: 1.25 hrs. Long acting formulations: 3-6 hrs. Excretion: Urine.

Brands with this active ingredient

• Fypendol
• Nutadol
• Ortega
• Pluxis
• Tacylis
• Tanpado
• Tapento IR
• Tapoget IR
• Tucenta
• Tydel

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.