Tapentadol is an opioid analgesic recommended for patients experiencing short-term moderate to severe chronic pain. This medication comes in immediate-release, extended-release tablets, and oral solution forms. Like other opioids, Tapentadol has a high potential for addiction.
About 25% of persons prescribed opioid painkillers for chronic pain abuse, and overdose deaths from opioids like Tapentadol increased by 30% between July 2016 and September 2017.Â
It is beneficial to be aware of these symptoms if you know someone undergoing Tapentadol treatment encounters an overdose. Let us see the typical overdose symptoms, treatment details, and the required dosage of Tapentadol.
Tapentadol (Nucynta) is a prescription drug for treating short-term moderate to severe acute pain, such as pain after surgery. This medication belongs to opioid analgesics, which affect how your brain recognizes and responds to pain directly.Â
It is pretty uncertain how Tapentadol works in the treatment of pain. It's thought to bind to mu-opioid receptors and affects norepinephrine levels in the brain, which help change how your body recognizes pain.
Tapentadol is available in three doses, i.e., 50, 75, and 100 mg. Take the lowest possible amount for short-term pain. The healthcare practitioner can gradually increase its quantity as per the requirements.
Tapentadol is available in three forms-
In general:
The two forms of Tapentadol now on the market are IR (50, 75, and 100 mg) and ER (50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg). It costs more than what is accessible in a generic form.
Take the tablet every 12 hours. The total dose is the same as regular Tapentadol. For children, the dose and use of this drug shall be determined by the concerned healthcare practitioner.
Drug overdose is when you take more than the recommended dose, which might result in severe or harmful symptoms or even death.
When a person takes an excess drug on purpose, it is called an intentional overdose; when it is taken unintentionally, it is called an accidental overdose.
An overdose is not similar to poisoning, although the effects can be the same. A large overdose can interfere with normal or even stop breathing and may result in death if not treated immediately. Depending on the drug taken, multiple organs may be affected, affecting the person's outcome and probability of survival.
On receiving medical attention on time, before the occurrence of any serious problem, the person might have lesser long-term consequences.
An estimated 25% of people misuse the prescription analgesic taken for chronic pain and between July 2016 and September 2017, a 30% rise in overdoses has been observed in opioids like Tapentadol.
Unfortunately, opioid overdoses continue to rise. Below we have outlined typical signs of an overdose:
The signs and symptoms of Tapentadol overdose differ for every individual, as numerous factors can affect drug overdose. Potential Tapentadol overdose symptoms typically include confusion, sweating, extreme drowsiness, blurred vision, slowed breathing, clammy skin, and muscle weakness.
Some of these symptoms might occur as side effects, making it difficult to notice an overdose. Talking to a healthcare practitioner or seeking medical attention as a precautionary measure to prevent adverse reactions is recommended.
One of the most visible symptoms of a Tapentadol overdose is respiratory depression. When taking more Tapentadol, respiratory depression may be lethal if left untreated.
Other signs of Tapentadol overdose include:
The amount of drugs that can cause an overdose from Tapentadol differs for every individual. Even in small doses, this substance can cause an overdose if combined with other drugs or alcohol.
A person with a higher tolerance for opioid medications is unlikely to overdose at levels that could cause an overdose for inexperienced people. The maximum dose of Tapentadol for every patient is 600 mg daily.Â
Before taking any drug, specific measures should be taken to prevent any side effects before a medical professional treats them. Once the overdose symptoms are observed, seek immediate help from the concerned doctor.
Tapentadol (Nucynta) is an opioid medication for acute, chronic, or neuropathic pain. This medicine is effective for short-term use or when other drugs become intolerant. Tapentadol is a Schedule II controlled substance with potential abuse similar to other potent opioid analgesics. However, it causes severe side effects when taken in excess or other than prescribed.
A person can also overdose on the lower levels of Tapentadol if you mix it with other recreational or illicit drugs or alcohol. If you know someone who overdosed on Tapentadol, seek emergency medical treatment to avoid complications.
