tapentadol phosphate at a glance
Medicine class
Strong opioid analgesic with additional noradrenaline reuptake inhibition.
Licensed role
Severe chronic pain in adults that can be adequately managed only with opioid analgesics.
Food
The selected prolonged-release tablets and capsules may be taken with or without food.
Driving
It may cause drowsiness, dizziness or impaired reactions. Do not drive until you know how it affects you, and never drive while impaired.
Dependence
Tolerance, physical dependence and opioid use disorder can occur, including when opioids are prescribed appropriately.
What is tapentadol phosphate used for?
The selected prolonged-release products have the following licensed use:
Management of severe chronic pain in adults when adequate control requires an opioid analgesic.
How does tapentadol phosphate work?
Tapentadol activates mu-opioid receptors, reducing pain signalling, and inhibits noradrenaline reuptake, strengthening descending pain-control pathways. It acts directly and does not rely on an active metabolite for analgesia.
tapentadol phosphate preparations and strengths
Modified-release capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg
How to take tapentadol phosphate
Follow the prescription and leaflet supplied with the particular product. Prolonged-release preparations must retain their release mechanism.
Swallow prolonged-release tablets whole with sufficient liquid; do not divide, break, crush or chew them.
Prolonged-release capsules may be swallowed whole. The selected capsule may alternatively be opened and its pellets sprinkled onto a small amount of cold soft food, taken immediately and followed by fluid.
Do not crush or chew the capsule or its pellets.
Either selected formulation may be taken with or without food.
Do not stop suddenly unless instructed; agree a stopping plan with the prescriber.
Store securely and never share an opioid with another person.
tapentadol phosphate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Vomiting or indigestion
- Tiredness or weakness
- Itching, sweating or rash
Get urgent medical advice
- Slow, shallow or difficult breathing
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling
- Seizure
- Marked sedation, reduced consciousness or collapse
- Possible serotonin syndrome: agitation, fever, sweating, tremor, muscle stiffness or jerking movements
tapentadol phosphate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are very limited. Tapentadol should be considered only after an individual benefit–risk assessment; regular opioid exposure can cause neonatal withdrawal, and use around labour may suppress the newborn's breathing. Contact the prescriber or maternity team if pregnant, planning pregnancy or already exposed, and do not stop long-term treatment suddenly without advice.
tapentadol phosphate while breastfeeding
The selected product information advises against tapentadol while breastfeeding because transfer into milk and respiratory depression in the infant cannot be excluded. A prescriber or specialist breastfeeding medicines service should review treatment and suitable alternatives.
tapentadol phosphate interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products. Important interactions include:
Alcohol
Increases sedation and breathing impairment; avoid drinking alcohol while taking tapentadol.
Benzodiazepines, sleeping tablets and other sedatives
Additive sedation and respiratory depression can lead to coma or death.
Common questions about tapentadol phosphate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is tapentadol phosphate an opioid?
Yes. It is a strong opioid analgesic with the additional action of inhibiting noradrenaline reuptake.
What pain is tapentadol phosphate licensed to treat?
The selected prolonged-release products are licensed for severe chronic pain in adults that can be adequately managed only with opioid analgesics.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.