Peer Reviewed
Drug update

Tapentadol: a new analgesic among the opioids

Stephan A Schug
Abstract
Tapentadol offers equianalgesic effects to conventional opioids with reduced gastrointestinal adverse effects and possibly a lower abuse potential. It is a representative of a new class of analgesics relying on the analgesic synergy between mu-receptor agonism and noradrenaline reuptake inhibition.
Key Points

    Tapentadol is a recently registered analgesic for the treatment of chronic moderate to severe pain that relies on the synergy between mu-receptor agonism and noradrenaline reuptake inhibition to provide pain relief. It is not really a new opioid but a representative of a new class of analgesics relying on this analgesic synergy.

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