Has your doctor prescribed you a medication called Tapentadol to control severe pain? Perhaps you are prescribed this medication for severe pain after surgery or a serious accident. It is normal for you to have many questions about such a powerful painkiller. So, today we will talk about what Tapentadol is and what you need to be careful about when using it.
Simply put, what is Tapentadol?
Tapentadol is a special painkiller that is used to control very severe pain . Doctors usually prescribe it when other painkillers are not effective or when the body cannot tolerate the medication.
This medicine belongs to a group of drugs called opioids . To be precise, it directly affects the brain and blocks the transmission of pain signals. As a result, the pain we feel is reduced. Since this is a very strong medicine, it is extremely important to use it exactly as directed by your doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before prescribing tapentadol to you, it is very important that your doctor knows your complete health history. Be sure to tell him/her about any of the following conditions, especially:
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Brain and nervous system | Conditions such as a brain tumor, head injury, epilepsy, or seizures. |
| Difficulty breathing | Asthma, lung disease, or other breathing difficulties. |
| Other medical conditions | Heart disease, thyroid disease, prostate problems, intestinal or stomach problems, decreased function of the adrenal glands. |
| Drugs and alcohol | Having a history of drug addiction or frequent alcohol consumption. |
| Other medications | If you have taken MAOI medication (e.g. Parnate, Nardil) within the last 14 days. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to tapentadol or any other medicine, food, or coloring. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
- Swallow this pill whole with a glass of water.
- If you feel stomach discomfort after taking the medicine, take it with a meal or with a little milk.
- The most important thing is to take only the dose prescribed by your doctor, at the right time. Do not take more than the prescribed amount for any reason.
- When you take this medicine, you will receive a special instruction leaflet (MedGuide). Read it carefully each time.
Warning: Overdose
If you suspect that you have taken more than the prescribed dose of this medicine, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately . Otherwise, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital without delay.
This medicine is for you only! This is something that the doctor has prescribed for your pain and your health condition. Therefore , do not share this medicine with anyone else for any reason.
What do you do if you miss a medication appointment?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Tapentadol is a powerful drug that can interact with other medications. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal products).
| Drugs that should never be taken with tapentadol | |
|---|---|
| MAOI antidepressants (such as Marplan, Nardil, Parnate) | Linezolid, Methylene blue, Samidorphan, Tedizolid |
| Other things that may interact with tapentadol | |
| Alcohol or any product containing alcohol | Some sleeping pills, anxiety medications |
| Medicines for allergies, coughs, and colds (Antihistamines) | Some antidepressants (such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine) |
| Migraine medications (such as sumatriptan) | General anesthetics |
| Medicines given to relax muscles during surgery | Other narcotic medications |
Things to consider when taking the medicine
- Pay attention to pain: Tell your doctor if your pain doesn't go away, gets worse, or if you have a new type of pain. After taking this medicine for a while, you may find that the dose you used to take to relieve your pain is no longer enough. This is called 'tolerance'. This is normal. Don't worry about it, but let your doctor know.
- Tolerance and Addiction: Your body gets used to this medication. That's why it's important not to stop taking it suddenly. However, there are two different things that are different between tolerance and addiction. Addiction is the use of a medication for a purpose other than a medical reason. Taking it on your doctor's advice to treat pain is not addiction.
- Stopping the medication: Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so may cause serious side effects. If you need to stop taking the medication, your doctor will gradually reduce the dose to ensure it is safe to stop.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing other activities that require alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are elderly, do not get up from a sitting position or sit down suddenly. Do these things slowly.
- Alcohol: Avoid alcohol completely while taking tapentadol. Alcohol can worsen the side effects of the drug.
- Constipation: Constipation is a common side effect of this medication. If you are unable to go to the bathroom for 3 days, talk to your doctor. Drinking plenty of clean water and eating foods high in fiber (fruits, vegetables, and greens) can help with this.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, tapentadol can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Difficulty breathing | Breathing becomes shallow or labored, difficulty breathing, excessive sleepiness, unconsciousness, difficulty waking up. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, blue eyes, feeling faint. |
| Decreased function of the adrenal glands | Vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, dizziness. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to your doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | Dry mouth |
| Drowsiness | Headache |
| Dizziness | Nausea and vomiting |
How to store medicine safely?
This is very important. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets. Keep it in a safe, lockable place to protect it from theft, as it can be abused.
Dispose of expired or unwanted medications safely. The best way to do this is to hand them over to a medication take-back program. You can ask your local hospital or pharmacy about this. If there is no such program, you can flush it down the toilet.
Take-Home Message
- Tapentadol is a powerful pain reliever. Use it only as prescribed by your doctor.
- Never share this medicine with anyone else. It is very dangerous.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any medical conditions you have.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, excessive drowsiness, or severe allergic reactions.
- Avoid stopping the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Always keep medicine locked up in a safe place out of the reach of children and others.
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