Tapentadol is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe pain, such as that caused by injury, surgery, or chronic conditions like osteoarthritis. It belongs to a class of drugs called opioid analgesics, but it also has unique properties as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, which enhances its pain-relieving effects.

Tapentadol works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, similar to other opioids, to reduce the perception of pain. In addition, it increases the levels of norepinephrine in the brain, which helps in managing pain through a different mechanism. This combination makes it effective for treating pain that is not well controlled by other medications.

It is available in both immediate-release and extended-release formulations, with the extended-release version designed for around-the-clock pain management.

Common side effects of tapentadol include nausea, dizziness, constipation, and drowsiness. As with other opioids, tapentadol carries a risk of addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, especially when used improperly or in combination with alcohol or other sedative drugs. Therefore, it should only be used as prescribed by a healthcare professional, and patients should be monitored for signs of dependence or misuse.