Medication Monday...Nucynta...TAPENTADOL HCL

Before we get to the medication I need to remind you...

• that what I am providing is NOT meant in any way to replace the conversation between you, your doctor, or your pharmacist
  
• please do not self-diagnose or make medical decisions about this drug without talking with qualified professionals
  

• the information provided here is the reference sheet you would find at WebMD. During my journey I found this site to be helpful in providing support. All credit for this information belongs to them. I copied it right from their website and I have removed the hyper-links. Please visit their site if you would like to read further.

For this installment, I have chosen Nucynta
GENERIC NAME(S): TAPENTADOL HCL

Uses: Tapentadol is used to help relieve moderate to severe short-term pain (such as pain from an injury or after surgery). It belongs to a class of drugs known as narcotic (opioid) analgesics. It works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain. This medication may also be used to help relieve nerve pain (peripheral neuropathy) in people with diabetes.

**Please read this information carefully** 
 If you have any questions about what is provided here....talk with your doctor or pharmacist please.

Nucynta
GENERIC NAME(S): TAPENTADOL HCL

Uses
Tapentadol is used to help relieve moderate to severe short-term pain (such as pain from an injury or after surgery). It belongs to a class of drugs known as narcotic (opioid) analgesics. It works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain.

OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This medication may also be used to help relieve nerve pain (peripheral neuropathy) in people with diabetes.

How to use Nucynta
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor. You may take this drug with or without food. If you have nausea, it may help to take this drug with food. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other ways to decrease nausea (such as lying down for 1 to 2 hours with as little head movement as possible).

On the first day that you take this medication, if you do not get enough pain relief after the first dose, you may take the second dose as soon as 1 hour after the first dose. Any doses after this are taken as directed by your doctor, usually every 4 to 6 hours.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or for longer than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.

Pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well.

This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as anxiety, sweating, trouble sleeping, shaking, diarrhea, hallucinations) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

Along with its benefits, this medication may rarely cause abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). This risk may be increased if you have abused alcohol or drugs in the past. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lessen the risk of addiction.

Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, or drowsiness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To prevent constipation, eat a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise. Consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a laxative (such as a stimulant type with stool softener).

To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: confusion, stomach/abdominal pain, difficulty urinating.

Get medical help right away if you have any serious side effects, including: slow/shallow breathing, fainting, seizures, unusual drowsiness/difficulty waking up.

This medication may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take (see Drug Interactions section). Get medical help right away if you develop some of the following symptoms: fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Side Effects List Nucynta 
The following side effects are associated with Nucynta:


Common side effects of Nucynta:
·                                 Abnormally Low Blood Pressure Severe

·                                 Dizzy Less Severe

·                                 Drowsiness Less Severe

·                                 Dry Mouth Less Severe

·                                 Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe

·                                 Head Pain Less Severe

·                                 Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements Less Severe

·                                 Low Energy Less Severe

·                                 Throwing Up Less Severe

Infrequent side effects of Nucynta:
·                                 Itching Severe

·                                 Abnormal Dreams Less Severe

·                                 Anxious Less Severe

·                                 Blurred Vision Less Severe

·                                 Chills Less Severe

·                                 Chronic Trouble Sleeping Less Severe

·                                 Depression Less Severe

·                                 Disturbance of Attention Less Severe

·                                 Excessive Sweating Less Severe

·                                 Inability to have an Erection Less Severe

·                                 Indigestion Less Severe

·                                 Involuntary Quivering Less Severe

·                                 Sensation of Spinning or Whirling Less Severe

·                                 Sluggishness Less Severe

·                                 Temporary Redness of Face and Neck Less Severe

Rare side effects of Nucynta:
·                                 Abnormal Nervous System Function Affecting Mental Alertness Severe

·                                 Confused Severe

·                                 Decreased Motility Function of Stomach or Intestines Severe

·                                 Giant Hives Severe

·                                 Having Thoughts of Suicide Severe

·                                 Heart Throbbing or Pounding Severe

·                                 High Pressure Within the Skull Severe

·                                 Hives Severe

·                                 Life Threatening Allergic Reaction Severe

·                                 Panic Disorder Severe

·                                 Rash Severe

·                                 Reaction due to an Allergy Severe

·                                 Seizures Severe

·                                 Serotonin Syndrome - Adverse Drug Interaction Severe

·                                 Severely Low Blood Pressure Severe

·                                 Significant Decrease in Lung Function Severe

·                                 Spasm of a Bile Duct Tract Severe

·                                 Trouble Breathing Severe

·                                 Cannot Empty Bladder Less Severe

·                                 Diarrhea Less Severe

·                                 Difficulty Speaking Less Severe

·                                 Easily Angered or Annoyed Less Severe

·                                 Extreme Sense of Well Being Less Severe

·                                 Feeling Faint Less Severe

·                                 Feeling RestlessLess Severe

·                                 Frequent Urination Less Severe

·                                 Hallucination Less Severe

·                                 Inducing of a Relaxed Easy State Less Severe

·                                 Loss of Memory Less Severe

·                                 Numbness Less Severe

·                                 Numbness and Tingling Less Severe

·                                 Problems with Eyesight Less Severe

·                                 Stomach Cramps Less Severe

·                                 Uncoordinated Less Severe

·                                 Weight Loss Less Severe

Precautions
Before taking tapentadol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: brain disorders (such as seizures, head injury, tumor), breathing problems (such as asthma, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD),gallbladder disease, kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood disorders (such as confusion, depression, thoughts of suicide), personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, stomach/intestinal problems (such as blockage, constipation, diarrhea due to infection, paralytic ileus), disease of the pancreas (pancreatitis), difficulty urinating (such as due to enlarged prostate).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially slow/shallow breathing, confusion, constipation, dizziness, and drowsiness.

Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby. To lessen the risk, take the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Tell the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms in your newborn baby such as slow/shallow breathing, irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: certain pain medications (mixed narcotic agonist-antagonists such as pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol), narcotic antagonists (such as naltrexone).

Taking MAO inhibitors with this medication may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.

The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Examples include street drugs such as MDMA/"ecstasy," St. John's wort, certain antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine), among others. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of these drugs.

The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also affect breathing or cause drowsiness. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as alcohol, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), and other narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone).

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (amylase/lipase levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: slow/shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, seizures, loss of consciousness.

Notes
Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless your doctor directs you to do so. A different medication may be necessary in that case.

Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Information last revised June 2015. Copyright(c) 2015 First Databank, Inc.