Nucynta

(tapentadol)

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Treats moderate to severe pain.

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Prescription opioids are used to treat several kinds of pain - but they carry significant risks, including addiction. Learn more about these drugs and be sure to discuss the risks with your doctor.

Our bottom line

Nucynta (tapentadol) is a good option to treat pain and may be more tolerable than other opioid pain medications.

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Quick facts about Nucynta
  • Drug class: Pain
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: No lower cost generic available

Upsides

  • In studies, Nucynta (tapentadol) was effective in treating certain kinds of pain.
  • May not cause as much nausea and constipation as other opioid pain medicines.
  • You can take Nucynta (tapentadol) with or without food; it makes no difference.
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What to expect from Nucynta, on one page

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Downsides

  • If you're taking the immediate release form of Nucynta (tapentadol), you may need to take it up to 6 times a day to relieve your pain.
  • You may not be able to drive or operate heavy machinery, until you know how Nucynta (tapentadol) affects you.
  • Nucynta (tapentadol) may increase the chance of seizures.
  • Nucynta (tapentadol) is more expensive than most other opioid pain medications. A generic option of Nucynta (tapentadol) is not available.
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What to expect from Nucynta, on one page

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How it works

Nucynta (tapentadol) is an opioid medicine that works in the brain to lower the amount of pain you feel.

Quick facts about Nucynta
  • Drug class: Pain
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: No lower cost generic available

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
Tried Nucynta? Write a review!

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Vomiting
  • Sleepiness
  • Constipation
  • Itchy skin
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Side effect rates for Nucynta (tapentadol)

From 2797 clinical trials of Nucynta when taken for pain (50, 75, or 100mg every 4-6hrs)
  • Nausea
    30%30%
    13%13%
  • Dizziness
    24%24%
    8%8%
  • Vomiting
    18%18%
    4%4%
  • Sleepiness
    15%15%
    3%3%
  • Constipation
    8%8%
    3%3%
  • Itchy skin
    5%5%
    1%1%
  • Dry mouth
    4%4%
  • Exessive sweating
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Indigestion
    2%2%
  • Decreased appetite
    2%2%
  • Trouble sleeping
    2%2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Nucynta.

Nucynta (tapentadol)
Placebo

People taking Nucynta felt side effect more

People taking Nucynta felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Nucynta (tapentadol)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Taking more than the prescribed dose
    • › Long-term use
    • › History of drug abuse
    • › Younger age
    • › Depression
    • › Alcoholism

    You may become physically dependent on Nucynta (tapentadol) if you have been using it regularly for several weeks or longer. If you suddenly stop taking it, you will feel withdrawal symptoms. Take only your prescribed dose and talk to your doctor about alternatives if this is a concern.

    This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.

Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect

Common concerns from people taking Nucynta (tapentadol)

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Price
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Nucyntaon 8/14/2019This Medicine is Pricey. 1st refill of the year, with insurance is around $1500.00. It goes down as deductible builds up, but still expensive. No Generic available and nothing in the works for now.
    55
    Man
    Two years or more
    Pain
Alcohol
  • You should avoid alcohol and medications containing alcohol (ethanol) while on the extended release formulation of Nucynta (tapentadol). Alcohol can increase the amount of Nucynta (tapentadol) in your body and cause a life-threatening overdose.
Food
  • You can take Nucynta (tapentadol) with or without food; it makes no difference.
Pain
  • Call your doctor if the dose you are taking does not control your pain. Do not take more than your prescribed dose.