Nucynta (Tapentadol)

What Is Nucynta?

Nucynta is the brand name of the generic drug tapentadol. It is a mu-opioid receptor agonist prescribed to manage moderate to severe acute pain in adults. Like other opioid pain medication, tapentadol is commonly called a narcotic.

The extended-release form of the drug is Nucynta ER. It is used for around-the-clock opioid treatment to control pain when alternative treatment options are inadequate. Nucynta is sometimes also used for purposes not in the medication guide.

Nucynta ER and the generic form of tapentadol are opioid agonists and Schedule II controlled substances that can be abused like any other legal or illicit opiate drug.

Because of the risks of abuse and misuse even at recommended doses, Nucynta ER is approved only for use in patients for whom alternative non-opioid medications or short-acting opioid options proved intolerable or ineffective in providing sufficient management of pain.

Abuse usually occurs when drug use goes beyond what the doctor prescribed. Opioid abuse commonly happens when physical dependence and tolerance develop, meaning higher dosages of the drug are needed to achieve the same effect the patient experienced when they began taking it. Once a dependency develops, reducing or stopping the drug intake produces withdrawal symptoms.

Signs of Nucynta (tapentadol) abuse include:

• Analgesia
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Euphoria
• Itching or flushed skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Respiratory depression (shallow or slow breathing)
• Sedation
• Slurred speech
• Small pupils