Tapentadol 100mg is an opioid pain reliever and is sometimes called a narcotic drug. This prescription medication is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is typically prescribed when pain cannot be controlled by other medicines. Let’s explore Tapentadol 100mg Uses, dosage, side effects, warnings, and more.
Also marketed under brands such as Aspadol, Nucynta, and Plalexia, this medication is available as immediate-release and extended-release oral tablets. Tapentadol extended-release tablets (Nucynta ER) are prescribed for around-the-clock treatment of pain, while its standard release tablets are often used on an as-needed basis by prescription.
Uses of tapentadol 100mg tablet
Tapentadol tablets are used to treat severe acute and chronic pain. A healthcare provider will prescribe this medication for the following conditions if they believe other medications may not be as effective;
- Injury pain
- Postoperative pain
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain
- Low back pain (both chronic and acute)
- Neck pain
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN)
- Osteoarthritis
- Pain resulting from infections infection pain
- Cancer pain
Although it is indicated for both sudden as well as persistent pain, use this medication only if you have a prescription from your healthcare provider.
How this medication relieves pain
Tapentadol 100mg works by binding to the opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS). It also inhibits norepinephrine reuptake. The medication reduces the feelings of pain by blocking the way nerves signal pain sensations between the body and the brain.
Tapentadol dosage information
It is recommended to use the lowest effective dose of this medication for the shortest duration. Medical providers individualize pain therapy and for dosage recommendations, they consider the severity of pain, response to opioids, and risk factors for abuse, addiction, and misuse.
- Immediate release tablets
Tapentadol Immediate release tablets is usually prescribed for managing sudden, short-term pain conditions. The starting dose is 50 mg to 100 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours. If the pain is severe on the first day of treatment, a second dose may be taken as soon as one hour after the first. The maximum recommended dose for short-term pain is 600 mg per day. Increasing this dose may lead to overdose and physical dependence.
- Extended release tablets
Only prescribed for severe chronic pain conditions such as back pain and related neck pain. The initial dose is 50 mg orally twice a day. Individually adjust the dose to get effective analgesia while reducing adverse reactions. The Extended Release Tablets Dosage can be increased by 50 mg every 3 days, as directed by your healthcare provider.
If needed, maintenance doses can be taken, limited to 100 mg to 250 mg twice a day. The standard maximum dose is 500 mg per day. For chronic musculoskeletal and low back pain, treatment can be extended for 3-6 months with this formulation.
Potential side effects of Tapentadol 100 mg
This medication can lead to certain side effects, ranging from normal to severe.
Common side effects may include:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- High acidity (rare)
These symptoms are very common and may go away on their own. However, older adults and those with existing lung diseases may experience low breathing and other respiratory problems.
Severe allergic reactions may also occur, and they require immediate emergency medical care.
Give your doctor a call right away if you encounter:
- Allergic reactions like hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of your lips, face, tongue, and throat
- Chest pain and discomfort
- Agitation and feeling hot
- Shallow breathing, sighing, breathing that stops
- Severe drowsiness and fainting
- Confusion and hallucinations
- Worsening tiredness or weakness
This is not the complete list of adverse effects associated with this medication. It is important to contact your medical advice or healthcare provider to learn more about side effects.
Tapentadol warnings and precautions
Even at regular doses, Tapentadol 100mg may be habit-forming. Take it exactly as directed by your doctor to avoid adverse reactions. It can stop or slow your breathing, therefore, you should not take this medication if you have serious breathing problems.
Whenever your dosage is changed, the risk of overdose symptoms and respiratory issues is higher, so, carefully monitor your health. Never take too many tablets at once, use them more frequently, or use them for longer than prescribed, as this can lead to dependence.
If you are taking Nucynta ER, do not crush, break, or open these tablets, as this can result in a fatal dose, causing severe discomfort that is more dangerous than an overdose. If you have a bowel obstruction, tapentadol 100mg may be high-risk for you.
People with kidney and liver diseases should consult a doctor before using this medication. Do not use any other CNS depressants, opioids, or sedative drugs, or drink alcohol during your pain treatment.
Misuse of Tapentadol 100 mg can potentially lead to addiction, overdose, coma, or death. Additionally, let your doctor know if you are nursing or pregnant. Because using this medication during pregnancy may cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.
FAQs on Tapentadol 100mg: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings
Q. What is the maximum amount of tapentadol every day?
Ans. For short-term pain, the starting dose is 50mg twice a day, or every 12 hours. If necessary, your doctor may change the dosage. However, your daily dose shouldn’t exceed 500mg.
Q. How long is tapentadol detected in blood?
Ans. This medication can be detected for up to 24-48 hours after your last dose.
Q. Can tapentadol cause depression?
Ans. It can occasionally cause symptoms such as depressed mood, agitation, irritability, nervousness, and disturbance in attention.
