Nucynta Side Effects

What is Nucynta? It’s an oral prescription drug used in adults as a short-term treatment for severe pain when other medications are ineffective or cannot be tolerated. Nucynta is normally available as a tablet that’s taken orally and may also come in an extended-release (long-acting) form called Nucynta extended-release (ER). The Nucynta ER formulation is used long-term in people who need round-the-clock pain control. Our Texas treatment center is sharing more on Nucynta side effects to share how this drug works and possible complications all users should be aware of.

Side Effects of Nucynta

Nucynta is the brand name for the opioid drug tapentadol. As a Schedule II drug, Nucynta is categorized according to its potential for medical use as well as its potential for abuse and addiction. As with other opioid medications, tapentadol can lead to various side effects and reactions, especially in new users. 

• Anxiety
• Appetite loss
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Excess sweating
• Headache
• Hot flashes
• Indigestion
• Itching
• Lack of energy and motivation
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Sleepiness
• Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
• Vertigo (dizziness or spinning sensation)
• Weakness

Nucynta is relatively safe when taken as prescribed by a physician. However, in rare cases, more serious reactions can occur. More severe side effects of Nucynta include:

• Anaphylaxis: This may be marked by symptoms like trouble breathing, rash, hives, chest pain, fast heartbeat, and swelling of the lips, tongue, and face. These symptoms usually require immediate medical attention. 
• Respiratory depression/arrest: Opioids like Nucynta can cause the user’s breathing to slow (respiratory depression) or stop entirely (respiratory arrest), which can lead to coma, brain damage, and even death. Pauses in breathing, shallow breathing, and bluish lips or face may indicate breathing problems.
• Apnea: Call your doctor if you experience any snoring that was not occurring before taking the medication or gasping during sleep. 
• Serotonin syndrome: This is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a person’s serotonin levels are too high. Report to your doctor if you experience symptoms like agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, stiff muscles, twitching, nausea, diarrhea, or loss of coordination.
• Severely low blood pressure (hypotension): Symptoms may include dizziness, confusion, light-headedness, or feeling as if you’re going to faint. 
• Bradycardia: This refers to extremely slow heart rate, which may be marked by symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, or fatigue.
• Intracranial pressure: This refers to increased pressure in the brain that can be life-threatening. If you experience symptoms like headache, vomiting, blurred vision, or weakness while taking Nucynta, get emergency help right away.
• Paralytic ileus: This occurs when the muscle contractions that move food through the intestines are blocked or temporarily paralyzed. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, bloating, and gas.
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Adrenal insufficiency: Also known as Addison’s disease, this occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough of certain hormones. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, and low blood pressure. 
• Addiction: Otherwise referred to as a substance use disorder, this refers to a disorder characterized by a persistent and intense urge to use a drug, despite substantial harm and other negative consequences.

If you experience any of these complications while taking Nucynta, speak to your healthcare provider right away. For those who become physically dependent on or addicted to Nucynta, our rehab in Texas offers opioid detox and addiction treatment that can make safe recovery possible.