Tapentadol (Nucynta) for Treatment of Pain

摘要

Tapentadol (Nucynta) is a centrally-acting opioid analgesic approved for the relief of moderate to severe pain in adults. It has two mechanisms of action: in addition to blocking the mu opioid receptor, tapentadol blocks norepinephrine uptake, although the clinical relevance of this additional action is not known. It is currently available in an immediate-release form, which is approved for adults with severe acute pain, and an extended-release form, which is used for moderate to severe chronic pain. Extended-release tapentadol is not intended for the management of acute or postoperative pain. Tapentadol is classified as a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) schedule II controlled substance.