Tapentadol 100 mg
Generic Name: tapentadol (ta PEN ta dol)
Brand Name: Nucynta, Nucynta ER
Dosage Forms: oral tablet (100 mg; 50 mg; 75 mg); oral tablet, extended release (100 mg; 150 mg; 200 mg; 250 mg; 50 mg)

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on April 12, 2021.

Uses
Warnings
Dosage
What to avoid
Side effects
Interactions

What is Tapentadol?
Tapentadol 100 mg is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic.
Tapentadol is a prescription medicine that is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Tapentadol 100 mg extended-release form (Nucynta ER) is for around-the-clock treatment of pain that is not controlled by other medicines. The extended-release form of tapentadol is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain.
Warnings

Do not use tapentadol if you have used a MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
You should not use this medicine if you have severe breathing problems, or a bowel obstruction called paralytic ileus.

Tapentadol can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Do not crush, break, or open an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose.

Tapentadol may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never share the medicine with another person. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC PAIN MEDICATION CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Tapentadol may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother has taken this medicine during pregnancy.
Fatal side effects can occur if you use tapentadol with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.