tapentadol tartrate at a glance
Medicine class
Strong, centrally acting opioid analgesic with additional noradrenaline reuptake inhibition.
Administration
Swallow prolonged-release tablets whole with liquid. Do not divide, chew or crush them. They can be taken with or without food.
Dependence
Tolerance, physical dependence and opioid use disorder can develop, including during therapeutic use.
Driving
It may cause sleepiness, dizziness, blurred vision or slower reactions. Do not drive unless you know you are unaffected and can drive safely.
What is tapentadol tartrate used for?
The selected prolonged-release product is licensed for:
Severe chronic pain in adults that can be adequately managed only with opioid analgesics.
Severe chronic pain in children over 6 years and adolescents that can be adequately managed only with opioid analgesics.
How does tapentadol tartrate work?
Tapentadol activates mu-opioid receptors and inhibits noradrenaline reuptake, reducing pain signalling in the central nervous system. Its analgesic effect comes from tapentadol itself rather than an active metabolite.
tapentadol tartrate preparations and strengths
Modified-release tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg
How to take tapentadol tartrate
Take tapentadol tartrate exactly as prescribed. Prolonged-release tablets must be swallowed intact with sufficient liquid.
Do not break, divide, chew, crush or dissolve tablets; this can release tapentadol too quickly and cause overdose.
Tablets may be taken with or without food.
An empty tablet shell may occasionally appear in the stool after the active ingredient has been absorbed.
Do not stop treatment suddenly without discussing it with the prescriber.
tapentadol tartrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Feeling sick
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Vomiting or indigestion
- Itching, sweating or rash
- Tiredness or weakness
Get urgent medical advice
- Slow or shallow breathing, severe sleepiness or reduced consciousness
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or collapse
- Seizure
- Possible serotonin syndrome: agitation, sweating, fever, tremor, muscle rigidity or overactive reflexes, particularly with serotonergic medicines
tapentadol tartrate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are very limited. A prescriber should weigh potential benefit against fetal risk. Opioid exposure later in pregnancy can cause newborn withdrawal, and use around delivery may depress the baby's breathing. Do not stop suddenly without advice.
tapentadol tartrate while breastfeeding
The selected product should not be used while breastfeeding. Human milk data are unavailable and a risk of opioid effects in the breastfed child cannot be excluded.
tapentadol tartrate interactions
Important interactions include increased sedation and breathing suppression, seizure risk, serotonin toxicity and altered tapentadol exposure.
Alcohol, benzodiazepines and other sedatives
Can markedly increase sleepiness, respiratory depression, coma and death; avoid alcohol.
Other opioids, sedating antihistamines and antipsychotics
May cause additive central nervous system and respiratory depression.
Gabapentin or pregabalin
Concurrent use increases the risk of opioid overdose, respiratory depression and death.
Common questions about tapentadol tartrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can tapentadol tartrate make me sleepy or dizzy?
Yes. Sleepiness and dizziness are very common. Avoid driving or machinery if affected.
Can I drink alcohol while taking tapentadol tartrate?
No. Alcohol can increase sedation and breathing suppression and may make treatment unsafe.
Can I drive while taking tapentadol tartrate?
Do not drive until you know how it affects you. Never drive if sleepy, dizzy, visually impaired or unable to react normally.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.