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Nucynta ER

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NUCYNTA® ER
(tapentadol) Extended-Release Oral Tablets C-II

WARNING

POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE, PROPER PATIENT SELECTON, AND LIMITATIONS OF USE

Potential for Abuse

NUCYNTA® ER contains tapentadol, a mu-opioid agonist and a Schedule II controlled substance with an abuse liability similar to other opioid analgesics.

NUCYNTA® ER can be abused in a manner similar to other opioid agonists, legal or illicit. These risks should be considered when prescribing, or dispensing NUCYNTA® ER in situations where the physician or pharmacist is concerned about an increased risk of misuse, abuse, or diversion. Schedule II opioid substances which include hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, oxymorphone, and methadone have the highest potential for abuse and risk of fatal overdose due to respiratory depression.

Proper Patient Selection

NUCYNTA® ER is an extended-release formulation of tapentadol indicated for the management of moderate to severe chronic pain in adults when a continuous, around-the-clock opioid analgesic is needed for an extended period of time.

Limitations of Use

NUCYNTA® ER is not intended for use as an as-needed analgesic.

NUCYNTA® ER is not intended for the management of acute or postoperative pain.

NUCYNTA® ER tablets are to be swallowed whole and are not to be split, broken, chewed, dissolved, or crushed. Taking split, broken, chewed, dissolved, or crushed NUCYNTA® ER tablets could lead to rapid release and absorption of a potentially fatal dose of tapentadol.

Patients must not consume alcoholic beverages, prescription or non-prescription medications containing alcohol. Co-ingestion of alcohol with NUCYNTA® ER may result in a potentially fatal overdose of tapentadol.

DRUG DESCRIPTION

NUCYNTA® ER (tapentadol) is a mu-opioid receptor agonist, supplied in extended-release film-coated tablets for oral administration, containing 58.24, 116.48, 174.72, 232.96, and 291.20 mg of tapentadol hydrochloride in each tablet strength, corresponding to 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg of tapentadol free-base, respectively. The chemical name is 3-[(1R,2R)-3-(dimethylamino)-1ethyl-2-methylpropyl]phenol monohydrochloride. The structural formula is:

NUCYNTA® ER (tapentadol)  Structural Formula Illustration

The molecular weight of tapentadol HCl is 257.80, and the molecular formula is C14H23NO•HCl. The n-octanol: water partition coefficient log P value is 2.87. The pKa values are 9.34 and 10.45. In addition to the active ingredient tapentadol HCl, tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients: polyethylene oxide, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E). The film coating is comprised of polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol, talc, and the colorant FD&C Blue #2 aluminum lake is used for 100-, 150-, 200-, and 250-mg strengths; and additionally, yellow iron oxide is used in 150-mg tablets. Printing inks contain shellac glaze and propylene glycol for all strengths, and black iron oxide (50-, 100-, 150and 200-mg tablet) or titanium dioxide (250-mg tablet).

Last reviewed on RxList: 9/6/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.

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