What is tapentadol?

Tapentadol is an opioid medicine to treat severe pain. It is only available with a prescription from your doctor.

How does tapentadol work?

Tapentadol works directly on opioid receptors in the central nervous system and reduces feelings of pain by interrupting the way nerves signal pain between the brain and the body.

Tapentadol also increases the levels of the brain chemical noradrenaline, which may reduce your chance of typical opioid-related side effects.

What is tapentadol used for?

Tapentadol is used to treat severe pain. It will only be prescribed if your doctor decides other non-opioid medicines cannot effectively manage your pain, or you can’t tolerate other pain relief treatments.

What forms of tapentadol are available?

Tapentadol is available as an oral tablet.

Some forms of tapentadol are ‘immediate-release’ (known as IR). This means that they start working straight away and their effects wear off more quickly. Others are ‘controlled-release’ (also called ‘sustained release’ or SR), which means that their effect lasts for a longer period of time.

What are the possible side effects of taking tapentadol?

All opioids, including tapentadol, can have side effects including causing life-threatening breathing problems.

The chance of these is higher:

• when you first take tapentadol
• after a dosage increase
• if you are older
• if you have an existing lung problem

The side effects of tapentadol are similar to those of other opioids, and include:

• constipation
• headache or dizziness
• fatigue or drowsiness (especially right after a dose)
• loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting

The higher your dosage, the more likely you are to experience one or more side effects. Always take medicines exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If you experience side effects while taking tapentadol, or are concerned about your opioid use, speak with your doctor. Your doctor can advise you on alternatives or whether you may need a dosage adjustment.

For a complete list of side effects see the consumer medicines information (CMI) leaflet in your medicine packet.

What are the risks associated with tapentadol?

Opioids are strong pain relief medicines that can cause life-threatening breathing problems.

Tapentadol may make it difficult for you to drive or operate heavy machinery. If you have recently started taking an opioid medicine, or changed the dosage, your chance of having an accident is higher. Ask your doctor whether it is legal for you to drive while taking tapentadol. Also contact your car insurer, as you may not be covered for accidents that occur while you are taking tapentadol.

If you have problems with your kidney or liver function, your doctor may decide that tapentadol is not suitable for you, or will prescribe a lower dose. There are also other factors that may limit your use of tapentadol — for example, if you drink alcohol or take other medicines such as benzodiazepines that can cause drowsiness.

Your doctor is the best person to guide you on whether tapentadol is the right medicine for you, how much you need and how long you should take it for. Your doctor will also guide you on when and how to stop taking tapentadol.

Opioid tolerance and dependence

If you use opioid medicines, you may also develop tolerance. This means that you may need to take larger amounts of the opioid to get the same effect. The chance of side effects also increases with a higher dose.

It’s also possible to become dependent on tapentadol, even if you take it exactly as prescribed and only for a short time. Your doctor will monitor how you use tapentadol to reduce your chance of harm, including through misuse, abuse and addiction.

If you are concerned that you are becoming addicted to or dependent on tapentadol let your doctor know so that you can get help. You can also call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline (1800 250 015) for 24/7 support and treatment information.

Opioid overdose

If you take too much tapentadol (known as an overdose), it’s important to get immediate medical attention. Overdose of opioid medicines can cause you to stop breathing.

Symptoms of overdose include:

• feeling sleepy
• difficulty breathing
• loss of consciousness
• pinpoint (very small) pupils

How do I take tapentadol?

Tapentadol comes as an oral tablet. If your tapentadol is ‘controlled-release’ (also known as ‘sustained-release’), make sure to swallow it whole — do not crush or chew the tablet.

It is important to follow the directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist when taking tapentadol.

Never take an opioid medicine that was prescribed for someone else or give another person an opioid that was prescribed for you. Your doctor is the best person to guide you on whether tapentadol is the right medicine for you, how much you need and how long to take it for.

How do I dispose of medicines safely?

It's important you dispose of unwanted opioid medicines safely. Unused medicines can be returned to any pharmacy. Don't keep unused tapentadol 'just in case', as this can lead to dangerous or inappropriate use.

Keep tapentadol out of reach of children and pets. Never throw medicines into a garbage bin or flush them down the toilet, as this is dangerous to others and harmful to the environment.

When should I see my doctor?

If your pain is not well controlled by taking tapentadol, or you have any new, unexpected or unwanted side effects, see your doctor.

Are there any alternatives to tapentadol?

Everyone's pain is unique, and different pain relief medicines will work in different circumstances. Some people’s pain will respond well to non-opioid medicines, which are generally associated with fewer problems and side effects.

Your doctor is the best person to advise you on whether tapentadol is the right medicine for you, how much you need and how long to take it for.

If you have chronic (long-term) pain, your doctor might suggest lifestyle changes to help manage the effects of pain. This may include:

• physiotherapy
• activity pacing
• social activities
• relaxation techniques
• overall health management

You can find more information here about options for managing chronic pain.

Resources and support

Asking about your treatment or medicine is important to help you understand your options. Here's a guide to questions you should ask your pharmacist or doctor before taking a medicine.

See also this list of medicines that contain tapentadol to read the consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet for the brand prescribed. You can also:

• Call 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) to talk about the medicines you are taking for your pain.
• Discuss your pain with Pain Link helpline (1300 340 357), which is staffed by volunteers with personal experience of chronic pain.
• Go to Painaustralia to find pain services and programs in your area.
• Learn more about prescription opioids on the Choosing Wisely website.

Languages other than English

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation has translated their guide to using medicines safely into many community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

Learn more about chronic pain management for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples at the Pain Management Network.