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Tapentadol User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Nucynta, Nucynta ER

Tapentadol has an average rating of 6.2 out of 10 from a total of 425 reviews on Drugs.com. 53% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 29% reported a negative experience.

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Reviews for Tapentadol

  • Ger...
  • October 17, 2019

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I have been on Nucynta 200 ER mg 3 times a day and Tramadol 50 mg 3 times a day for two years now. I was on all the other pain meds from Percocet to fentanyl, and Nucynta has been great for me. I have degenerative disc disease, I broke my back at L4 and L5, and I have rods and screws. I have a chronic case of kidney stones and kidney damage. If you have chronic pain and nothing is helping, try Nucynta, hopefully, it might help you as it has helped me. One note, no pain medication will relieve your pain 100%, but for me, my pain is 70% to 85% controlled (depending on the weather), but I have learned to live and manage my remaining pain. Apart from the medication, I use ice and heat to also help with the pain. Good luck finding your pain relief because no one should live their life in chronic pain, and also good luck in finding a good pain management doctor that believes you. God bless."

9 / 10
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268 Report
  • Cel...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 6, 2020

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I have been on Nucynta for over 3 years now. I suffer from scoliosis, fibromyalgia, and RA. I’ve been on 100 mg 4x/day then went to 3x/day recently. Something interesting about this drug is the way it’s processed in the body. Some people lack particular gene functions that break down most pain medications. Nucynta is one of the only narcotics that bypasses this gene process, therefore, people who lack the CYP-2D6 (gene) “regulator” can get more adequate pain relief. But people not lacking this genetic predisposition often have not so good of an experience. OVERALL, for some people, Nucynta (tapentadol) can be a lifesaver when nothing else works, and I say all this for those who may want to research into why certain drugs don’t work as well for them. The only downside for me was, even though I have good insurance, it was originally over $1,200 for 90-100mg pills. Hope this helps someone!"

10 / 10
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163 Report
  • Kin...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • November 21, 2019

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I have been on Nucynta for over 6 years. I am a post-cancer patient. I suffer from nerve damage from chemotherapy, fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease in my lower back, dysplasia, and arthritis in my left hip after 5 surgeries and bad scarring. I have had injections and tried every opioid under the sun. Until my rheumatologist started me on Nucynta, life became different. I still have pain as with ANY of them. But I got my life back. There is no generic, and it is expensive, but taken properly, it works. It may not work for everyone. But to me, Roxys and oxycodone and all that are trash. The other part is I can't have anything with acetaminophen due to having cancer in my liver, so I'm very limited. I think it's worth a try. Methadone, ugh, no way. People never get off that. Try Nucynta! Good luck! Best!"

10 / 10
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148 Report
  • Jpa...
  • November 7, 2019

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I have ankylosing spondylitis since I was drafted and resulted in a 4F deferment. That was in 1970. This med has been a game-changer for me. I wake up not as stiff as I have been without the drug. To help with the bowel motion, I drink Smooth Move tea, and it works. If not for my doctor, I would be homeless, being unable to work. Good luck to all who suffer day by day."

9 / 10
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137 Report
  • Dan...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 26, 2018

Nucynta ER (tapentadol) for Pain "I have been on pain meds for 8 years due to multiple problems, as well as 2 autoimmune diseases. I swear some of y'all gotta be paid reps for this drug Nucynta cause your so-called 'experiences' of amazingness is the exact complete opposite of what I have endured while on this BOGUS medicine. Either that, or y'all had been on Aleve or Motrin for pain, and your doc prescribed the Nucynta and it's now a wonder drug for you 'compared to an OTC pain med' cause this junk is just that a placebo that does NOT help anyone with legit pain, who also has a 'tolerance' to narcotic pain meds. There is absolutely no possible way this med is helping anyone except the pharmacy reps, doctors, and Big Pharma companies that are actually pushing this rubbish on legit pain patients. Y'all have lost your minds. You've been warned. It's horrible. For pain relief I give it ZERO stars out of 5."

1 / 10
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  • Ros...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • August 24, 2019

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I have about 8 separate diagnoses in my spine, including severe degenerative disc disease and arthritis. I am in horrific pain all the time. I had been taking Vicodin 10 multiple times throughout the day and only got a short time of relief. I went to a new pain management doc, and he gave me Nucynta. I haven't had anything work so well! I take 100mg 3 times a day, and I have zero pain. I feel like a whole new person! I'm not counting the hours til I can take another pill. My copay is $50 with good insurance, but for me it's well, well worth it. Definitely worth giving this medicine a try."

10 / 10
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117 Report
  • Sta...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • February 28, 2019

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I was in a MVA in '05 that left me permanently disabled with a spinal cord injury. My spinal cord was less than 2cm from being severed. Nothing helped the pain, not Fentanyl or even Morphine. As my doctor suggested Methadone as a last resort, I was 37 years old and said no, not at my age. A PA offered Nucynta as she had just read an article, and on this day, I got my life back! This wasn't just a game-changer, it was a miracle drug as it worked miracles for me. How does one thank the makers of this one med that did so much to help me and my family?"

10 / 10
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115 Report
  • Yan...
  • June 18, 2016

Nucynta ER (tapentadol) for Pain "I suffered a compression fracture at L2, and I have had a failed posterior lumbar interbody fusion at L4 and L5-S1. I am disabled and only want a life that is worth living. My new pain management physician started me early this week on Nucynta ER 100 mg every 12 hours, and for breakthrough pain to take oxycodone acetaminophen 10/325 four times daily. I'm not getting much relief from the Nucynta ER 100 mg. I am very disappointed. I will consult with my doctor to see what he feels I should do. I am so unhappy with our government, that is harassing people that are 10 times more educated than they are, on 'proper prescribing behavior' for the treatment of chronic pain. This is a disgrace to the USA!"

3 / 10
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150 Report
  • N L...
  • January 28, 2010

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "Nucynta did not relieve my pain at all. I have seen many negative comments about this new medicine. Many government officials want to do away with oxycodones and force people with chronic pain to get physical therapy. It's unfortunate to punish those who don't abuse their medicines."

1 / 10
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227 Report
  • Sha...
  • December 18, 2019

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I broke both of my feet falling off my roof in winter after fixing my satellite. I then got compartment syndrome in my left foot and had to have an emergency fasciotomy. For those who don't know, they basically had to cut my foot wide open in 3 places to relieve the pressure. The cuts had to stay wide open, so for about 3 months, I was in horrible pain. They prescribed OxyContin 60mg 2x a day and 30mg 3x a day. For pain, it did absolutely nothing. But in 3 months, I was addicted. I went to a pain management doctor, complained, and he gave me Nucynta. Life was so much better. I went from being in excruciating pain to barely any pain at all, not to mention I wasn't high off pills either, so I could actually function. Nucynta was a godsend when I needed it most. The only bad thing is most insurances didn't pay for it when I was on it. That was in 2015, so this might be different now. I had to pay $400 a month for 60 50 mg pills."

10 / 10
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94 Report
  • geo...
  • January 5, 2014

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I have numerous chronic conditions but I will speak about my pain. I have been attending the pain clinic for approximately 5 years and have tried every conceivable pain medication that I could get including a ketamine IV, nothing has worked until now. I am on 500 mg of Palexia/tapentadol/Nucynta and it works. I have nerve damage due to an undiagnosed neurological condition with symptoms mimicking Multiple Sclerosis. It has taken about 8 weeks for it to work but it has made a big difference. Side effects are lack of sleep (chronic), dizziness (goes away), and mood swings. I want to stay on it and hopefully my doctor can help with the sleep. So, anyone just starting it or considering it, please give it some time."

10 / 10
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165 Report
  • bam...
  • August 4, 2010

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "After chronic pain for 5 years (bursitis and fibromyalgia), I think I've found a medicine perfect for me. I take 50 mg three times a day; it has helped so much with the fibromyalgia fatigue/fog. I have more energy, feel less depressed, and actually wake up without horrible pain. In the past I have been on Oxycontin, MS-Contin, Hydrocodone, Fentanyl patches, and Dilaudid. Nucynta is helping more than all of the above and it's much different than a typical narcotic. I am pleased!"

8 / 10
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196 Report
  • Maj...
  • July 29, 2019

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I said I would come back and share. Nucynta has literally given me my life back. I have significant chronic pain issues. I was on oxycodone for a while but felt it was no longer working. Tried a few others until this one and I have felt like my pain has been relieved significantly and I am so thankful! Even my husband noticed the difference, he said it was literally like night and day. So much to the point where this medication is 4 times more expensive than the others, but he said with those results it's worth it."

10 / 10
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91 Report
  • CRI...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • March 6, 2013

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I am 35 years old and have had severe fibromyalgia, trigeminal neuralgia, migraines, and chronic fatigue. I have been suffering since my early 20s. I tried everything and backed it up with research. Nothing made the pain tolerable enough. Nucynta 100mg er, 2x a day, gives me 24-hour pain control when taken with 100mg of tramadol. I found the doctor who prescribed it just a year ago. I was a ball of pain on my couch, could not work, actually... I had no life. My doctor is conducting trials using this for fibromyalgia with 97% success. I had forgotten what a body not riddled with chronic pain felt like. He is a pioneer and trying to get this medication to those who need it to function. It was difficult to get approved. I have a life!"

9 / 10
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154 Report
  • Lau...
  • February 13, 2020

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I've never had more side effects with any other medication. I ended up in the ER, I'll get into that more later. Blurry vision, can't read off my phone. Can't focus my eyes, they feel strained. It causes this 'psychedelic effect' where things look like they're moving with slight colors. Chest pain. Went to the ER. They gave medication to slow my heart rate, which was 150 bpm. Heart pounding, tightness in chest, fast heart rate, low blood pressure. Unable to concentrate/poor memory. Forgetting mid-sentence. Dizzy, the room is spinning. Uncoordinated. Depressed breathing. Hallucinations. I thought I saw a red bug on me, but it was just my birthmark, I was hallucinating! I've never hallucinated before. Restlessness. The skin on my hands and feet turned blue. Anxiety/depression. I have slight anxiety, but not like this, it made me depressed. Urinary pain (from the coating on these pills made to prevent people from misusing them). Heaviness in limbs. Trouble swallowing. Severe constipation. Indigestion. Low energy."

1 / 10
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79 Report
  • Luc...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 27, 2014

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I was just given Nucynta 50 mg twice a day for Peripheral Neuropathy following a botched surgical procedure by my PCP. The pain was constant and burning. It disrupted my life and is wrecking my relationship with my husband. He doesn't understand the pain of Neuropathy, Neuritis, and Neuralgia. I have been in pain for more than a year and I have tried many different pain medications such as Vicodin, Ultram, Percocet. Nothing worked! I have only taken 2 pills and I noticed that the pain is much improved. It went from a 7 to a 4. That is HUGE! I did get nauseated and my breathing was shallow. I also stumble a bit and I am not able to verbalize complete sentences. That is disturbing, but it's worth it if I can experience less pain."

7 / 10
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136 Report
  • Run...
  • March 5, 2013

Nucynta ER (tapentadol) for Pain "I am 30 years old and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia when I was 25. Over the years, it kept getting worse and worse. It was beginning to interfere with my life. I had a very poor quality of life. I finally, after suffering for over a year, I decided I needed real help. I had been on many other pain medications, but Nucynta ER was different. The day I got my prescription filled and took it that night, I woke up a changed person. I'm not sure exactly how long I'd suffered, but Nucynta ER has given me my life back. My depression and anxiety are non-existent. I feel awesome!"

10 / 10
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144 Report
  • Pol...
  • October 12, 2009

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "It seemed okay. I was more alert than when using oxycodone. After three weeks, the side effects outweigh the positives. It was more psychotic than I had planned. After the 75 mg dose wore off, the drop-off was steep. I felt very agitated and somewhat aggressive. Similar to prescribed amphetamine or steroid. It makes me so agitated that I have decided to go back to the Oxy. I also experienced some respiratory distress and diminished vision. Good try as an alternative but it is not for me. Kadian had similar reactions."

4 / 10
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  • Sku...
  • June 16, 2015

Nucynta ER (tapentadol) for Pain "I fell off of a ladder at work and shattered my elbow and slicing my nerves. After 3 surgeries over a year period, I was still in a lot of pain. After going through the Norco dependence, I was finally referred to a pain management doc who first tried Opana to no avail. I was then put on an extended-release Fentanyl patch which worked but did not last near long enough between doses. The doc then put me on Nucynta ER titrated up to 250mg x2/day and it has been a godsend. It keeps my pain at bay and doesn't get me high. I will say that it seems to only last 8-10 hours, but I have Norco to fill the gap. Very happy with Nucynta, and I feel like I have my life back. Friends and family say that I am much better to be around as well. Good luck to you!"

10 / 10
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112 Report
  • SJG...
  • June 22, 2015

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I have chronic pain that wraps around the right side of my rib cage and believe it to be nerve/muscular. I was taking Tramadol for many years along with my Lyrica, but the Tramadol just wasn't working anymore. My pain doc replaced the Tramadol with 50 mg Nucynta twice per day. The results are phenomenal - I am basically pain-free and able to function fine at work on it with no side effects of any kind. This medicine has improved my quality of life and I can't believe how much better I feel."

9 / 10
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110 Report
  • nin...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 12, 2013

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "This medicine is a lifesaver! I have lupus and have been having extreme hip and back pain lately. I have been on numerous medicines and am allergic to codeine, Vicodin, and Percocet, so it's difficult to find adequate pain relief without other side effects like nausea, vomiting, and lightheadedness. Nucynta does not give me a 'high' feeling, and I have not experienced nausea with this medicine. The only downside to this medicine is it's expensive! I encourage people to call the company and apply for the savings card. I'm awaiting mine, and if it goes through, you will pay no more than $25 a refill. Hope some others get relief with this medicine like me. Right now, I could kiss my orthopedic surgeon for prescribing me Nucynta!"

9 / 10
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125 Report
  • Rit...
  • September 24, 2019

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I don't want to give this medication a high rating. My husband was put on this medication last week. At first, he thought it was great, but then trouble came. He had problems focusing, broke out with a rash, had constipation, could not eat, and always felt like he was going to throw up. When I saw the rash on his leg, I immediately called the pharmacist, and the pharmacist told him to stop taking this medication. On top of that, he is on antidepressants and blood thinners."

1 / 10
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68 Report
  • sun...
  • April 15, 2015

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I take both versions, 150 ER twice a day, and one IR once a day. This works for me better than Vicodin 10's along with all the other stuff I had to take with them. I used to take 6 a day of Vicodin, or Ultram 300 and 6 Ultram 50 mgs and Soma 350 mgs. Now, all I need is the Nucynta, sometimes I have pain it doesn't totally control, but, you can't be pain-free 24 hours a day no matter what you take. I like that if you forget to take one, or whatever, there aren't any withdrawals for me. Nothing, no insomnia, no illness, it works like an opioid without the hassles. I don't know why it is schedule 2 because to me, it is like a super strong Tylenol, you never withdraw from Tylenol. I feel lucky that my doctor chose this to control my pain."

9 / 10
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107 Report
  • Amy...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 26, 2015

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I was taking Percocet for Facial and Scalp Neuralgia - very similar to Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN2 or ATN) but instead of just the face, nearly my whole scalp can have nerve pain. I was referred to a pain control specialist who initially put me on Nucynta ER. It was far less effective than the Percocet. Since I have a history of problems with extended-release (ER) versions, I begged them to let me try the IR version instead. VOILÀ! Real pain relief. I've been able to lower my overall monthly allotment of pills. I feel so blessed to have such good pain control."

10 / 10
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106 Report
  • luc...
  • March 24, 2010

Nucynta (tapentadol) for Pain "I found I had unusual energy and didn't feel my back pain, was able to do a lot of the manual chores involved in renovations and spring cleaning that I put off (due to pain and lack of motivation). So far no effects of longing for a dose. I take only when the pain comes back. I'm waiting for the negative but so far ... it's great!"

10 / 10
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141 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.