Tapentadol is a centrally-acting opioid with a dual mechanism of action. Even though it is commonly prescribed to relieve moderately severe pain in adults, long-term users may experience tapentadol withdrawal symptoms if they stop the medication suddenly.
This indicates dependence and addiction to some extent. For this reason, tapentadol is only prescribed when other pain relievers are found ineffective. If a patient is already experiencing withdrawal symptoms , they must undergo detox treatment to restore their well-being safely.
What is Tapentadol?
Although a Schedule II controlled substance, tapentadol is commonly prescribed to treat severe pain in adults when other pain relieving aids fail to manage the pain effectively. It is a synthetic opioid sold under brand names such as Nucynta, Aspadol, and Palexia, among others.
The medication is available in immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets, and oral solutions. Like other opioids, it works quickly, typically within 15-30 minutes by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and inhibiting norepinephrine reuptake by the nerve cells.
This dual action relieves pain by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain and modulating the body’s natural pain-controlling mechanisms. Since Nucynta acts on the central nervous system, it has a higher potential for addiction, causing dependency in some people.
Taking this narcotic medication in higher amounts or for longer than prescribed can lead to developing tolerance, dependence, and addiction to it. Although rare, even short-term abuse of this medication can result in overdose, potentially leading to coma and even death.
Tapentadol Withdrawal & Detox Treatment for Lasting Recovery
If you follow proper treatment, you can overcome tapentadol withdrawal within days. There are traditional opioid detox treatments and withdrawal neuroregulation programs available that can help with both short-term and long-term opioid addiction in patients.
Under the guidance of a healthcare professional, withdrawal from tapentadol can be managed by treating the symptoms and addressing the root causes of addiction. Tapentadol detox helps eliminate the drug from the body and reverses its effects on the brain.
Tapentadol withdrawal treatment will not only induce safe withdrawal from the medication but also offer long-term recovery from opioids. Your doctor may prescribe certain medications to remove the drug from your blood plasma and schedule regular follow-ups to monitor progress.
Recognizing Tapentadol Withdrawal Symptoms
This medication may be prescribed for short-term or long-term pain treatment. Whatever the treatment duration, you should follow your doctor’s instructions. However, sometimes, it may cause dependence and withdrawal even if you take it at prescribed doses.
The risk of tapentadol withdrawal symptoms is higher when you take higher doses for a longer duration. Your body may get used to the drug being ingested to function normally, requiring large amounts as the treatment progresses, increasing tolerance.
Increased tolerance is the first sign of opioid dependence, eventually leading to addiction. Once you develop physical and mental dependence on the drug, you are likely to experience withdrawal reactions when trying to discontinue the medication all of a sudden.
Here are the most common withdrawal symptoms of tapentadol;
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Runny nose
- Cravings
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Sweating
- Breathing difficulties
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Muscle pain
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Increased heartbeat
- Increased blood pressure
- Pupil dilation
- Blurred vision
- Shivering
If you experience any of these symptoms, immediately contact your doctor. They may suggest gradually decreasing the dose to avoid further consequences and may recommend detox treatment.
Since opioid withdrawal symptoms are painful, uncomfortable, and potentially life-threatening, never try to treat them on your own or completely quit the drug without informing your healthcare provider.
How Long Does Tapentadol Withdrawal Last
In most cases, the symptoms of withdrawal may last for a week or two. However, tapentadol withdrawal duration varies from person to person and depends on factors such as the dosage used, how long and frequently the medicine was taken, and metabolism.
As withdrawal symptoms arise as a part of the system’s process of clearing the medication, your metabolism plays an important role in breaking down the drug. Put, a faster metabolism may help eliminate tapentadol from the body more quickly.
How long the opioid withdrawal lasts depends on several other factors. For example, someone who has been taking this narcotic painkiller regularly for a longer duration may experience withdrawal for a longer period compared to someone who has been taking it for a month or less.
Also, extended-release tablets may last longer in the body longer than immediate-release tablets. Moreover, it is important to note that acute Nycunta withdrawal symptoms may last only for a week or two, but post-acute withdrawal syndrome may arise afterward.
The standard tapentadol withdrawal timeline is as follows;
- Day 1: This medication usually stays in the system for 22 hours. Therefore, between 6-24 hours after your last dose, you may start to experience the first set of withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, headache, vomiting, and runny nose.
- Day 2-4: Mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms, such as insomnia, diarrhea, anxiety, and restlessness, may peak around 48 to 72 hours. These symptoms are generally less intense than the withdrawal symptoms of other opioids.
- Day 5+: Physical withdrawal symptoms typically disappear within the first week. However, cravings and confusion may persist for a few more days.
Warnings & Side Effects of Tapentadol
Like all opioid medications, this drug may cause certain side effects. It is typical within the first 72 hours of starting your pain treatment.
Common and severe tapentadol side effects include;
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
- Decreased appetite
- Stomachache
- Extreme fatigue
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Slow, shallow breathing
It is important to follow certain tapentadol warnings, such as potential drug interactions. The medications listed below should not be taken alongside Nucynta, as the drug interaction may lead to severe respiratory depression.
- Anxiety medications
- Certain seizure medicines
- Other opioids or CNS depressants
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Remember, tapentadol tablet warnings should be carefully considered. These tablets may worsen certain health conditions. Speak to your doctor and start your pain therapy with another painkiller if you have any of the following health problems;
- Asthma or other lung problems
- Liver disease
- Head or brain trauma
- Seizures
- Mental health disorders
- Kidney problems
- Gallbladder disease
- Pancreatic conditions
- Substance use disorder
Managing Tapentadol Withdrawal Symptoms
When you spot your first withdrawal symptom, consult your doctor and seek medical help. It is not rare for people to enter a coma or even die during their opioid withdrawal period. Certain long-term side effects of tapentadol may also arise if you do not get treatment on time.
If your tapentadol withdrawal symptoms are left untreated, you are at an increased risk of tapentadol’s side effects, including overdose when you take the medication later. This is because drug abstinence can lower your tolerance, making overdosing easy.
An easier way to manage opioid withdrawal is to undergo opioid detox therapy. This process ensures the drug is eliminated from your system completely, reverses the effects on your brain, and provides long-lasting recovery from opioid dependence, addiction, and abuse.
FAQs on A Guide to Tapentadol Withdrawal and Detox Solutions
Q. How do you stop taking tapentadol?
Ans. To safely discontinue the medication, consult your doctor, and they will recommend methods such as tapering off, which means gradually reducing the dosage to stop the medication without experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Q. Which type of medication is prescribed for managing tapentadol withdrawal symptoms while detoxifying?
Ans. Certain benzodiazepines are the first-line treatment of opioid withdrawal. They effectively relieve withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, delirium, restlessness, nervousness, and seizures. Both long-acting and short-acting benzodiazepines are prescribed to treat opioid withdrawal.
Q. How long does it take for tapentadol withdrawal to clear?
Ans. The withdrawal duration depends on the intensity of your dependence on the drug. The duration of withdrawal may vary from days to months, depending on factors like treatment duration, the dosage you have been taking, and your tolerance. Typically, Nucynta withdrawal lasts 1 to 2 weeks.
