Tapentadol is a strong painkiller. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
This medicine may also be used to treat severe and persistent pain from damaged nerves in individuals with diabetes.
Take Tapentadol exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
If your doctor advised you to take this medicine every day, try to take it at the same time each day.
Tapentadol is available as a conventional tablet or oral solution, and as an extended-release tablet.
If you are taking the extended-release type of tablet (usually labelled as "ER"), swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew, or crush the tablet.
If you are taking the oral solution, follow these steps:
- Open the bottle by pressing the cap and turning it counterclockwise.
- Use the measuring device (e.g. oral syringe) supplied with each bottle.
- To use the oral syringe, insert it into the perforated stopper and turn the bottle upside down.
- Fill the syringe with the appropriate dose.
- Administer the medicine directly from the oral syringe.
- Wash the oral syringe after use.
Your doctor will also discuss the use of this medicine as different brands and preparations of Tapentadol may only be used for a specific condition.
Do not take this medicine for any conditions other than what is prescribed by your doctor.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your pain and your response to the medication.
Do not stop taking Tapentadol suddenly as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor will gradually reduce the dose before stopping it completely. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- severe asthma
- severe respiratory depression (slow or ineffective breathing)
- blocked bowel or bowel obstruction caused by slow movement or paralysis of the intestines
as Tapentadol may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Tapentadol if you are currently taking or have taken a type of medicine known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 14 days. This may include medicines to treat depression (e.g. isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine) and certain antibiotics (e.g. linezolid).
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- personal or family history of substance use disorders
- mental health conditions e.g. depression, anxiety, personality disorders
- lung problems
- head injury, brain tumour or increased pressure in the brain
- history of fits or seizure
- disease of the bile duct (a tube-like channel which carries bile from the liver to the upper portion of the small intestine) or inflammation of the pancreas
- low volume of circulating fluids in the body
- problems in the heart and blood vessels e.g. heart attack
- Addison's disease (a rare disorder where the adrenal glands produce insufficient amounts of certain hormones)
- prostate enlargement
- sleep-related disorders e.g. sleep apnoea (sleep disorder that causes interrupted breathing during sleep)
- kidney disease
- moderate to severe liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Tapentadol to a child, the elderly or debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age). They may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Avoid long-term use of any painkillers.
Do not take Tapentadol for any other purpose other than what your doctor has advised.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
- Regular monitoring of mental status and signs or symptoms of breathing problems may also be needed.
Tapentadol may cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
This medicine may also cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, dry mouth, constipation, decreased appetite, muscle spasms, tiredness, rash, itchy skin, and excessive sweating.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- slow, shallow, or trouble breathing
- fits or seizures
- breathing problems during sleep
- severe constipation or abdominal pain
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Tapentadol if you are currently taking or have taken a type of medicine known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the last 14 days. This may include medicines to treat depression (e.g. isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine) and certain antibiotics (e.g. linezolid).
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines that cause drowsiness or affect your concentration
- medicines for anxiety
- medicines for sleep disorders
- medicines for mood disorders
- other strong painkillers e.g. buprenorphine, morphine
- other medicines to treat depression e.g. fluoxetine, duloxetine
- phenobarbital (medicine for fits or seizures)
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, an infection known as tuberculosis)
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Tapentadol.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the drowsiness caused by Tapentadol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect the tablets from moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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