nefopam hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Centrally acting, non-opioid analgesic.
Licensed uses
Relief of acute and chronic pain.
How it is taken
Oral film-coated tablets, swallowed with water; they may be taken with or without food.
Important exclusions
Not suitable with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or for people with a history of seizures.
What is nefopam hydrochloride used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for relief of acute and chronic pain.
Pain following an operation
Dental pain
Muscle and joint pain
Pain following an acute injury
Cancer pain
How does nefopam hydrochloride work?
Its exact pain-relieving mechanism is not fully understood. Nefopam acts centrally, affecting the reuptake of serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine and modulating sodium and calcium channels involved in pain signalling.
nefopam hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 30 mg, 60 mg
How to take nefopam hydrochloride
Follow the directions from the prescriber and the leaflet supplied with the tablets.
Swallow the film-coated tablets with water.
They may be taken with or without food; taking them after food may help nausea.
Do not drive or operate machinery if nefopam makes you sleepy or dizzy.
If it has been taken for a long time, discuss stopping with the prescriber rather than stopping suddenly.
nefopam hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Feeling sick
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Feeling nervous, confused or shaky
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty passing urine
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Get urgent medical advice
- A seizure or fit
- Hallucinations
- A fast heartbeat
- Inability to pass urine
- Swelling of the face, mouth or throat, breathing difficulty or other signs of anaphylaxis
nefopam hydrochloride in pregnancy
Nefopam is not usually recommended during pregnancy because human safety information is limited. A prescriber should review whether it is necessary and whether a better-established alternative is suitable.
nefopam hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Information is limited, but the NHS advises that nefopam may be used during breastfeeding when a doctor considers it necessary. Seek advice if the baby feeds poorly, is unusually sleepy or irritable, vomits, sweats or has fewer wet nappies.
nefopam hydrochloride interactions
Check all prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products with a pharmacist or prescriber because nefopam can increase several central nervous system and anticholinergic effects.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, including phenelzine, isocarboxazid and tranylcypromine
These must not be combined with nefopam.
Tricyclic antidepressants, including amitriptyline
Concurrent use requires caution because adverse effects may be increased.
Common questions about nefopam hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is nefopam hydrochloride an opioid?
No. It is a centrally acting, non-opioid painkiller.
How quickly does nefopam hydrochloride start working?
Pain may begin to improve within about one to two hours after taking a tablet.
Can nefopam hydrochloride be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.