section name header

Pronunciation

ta-PEN-ta-dol

Classifications

Therapeutic Classification: analgesics (centrally acting), opioid analgesics

Pharmacologic Classification: opioid agonists

Indications

High Alert


Action

  • Acts as a mu-opioid receptor agonist.
  • Also inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine.
Therapeutic effects:
  • Decrease in pain severity.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: 32% absorbed following oral administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed.

Metabolism/Excretion: Undergoes extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism (97%); metabolites have no analgesic activity; metabolized drug is 99% renally excreted.

Half-Life: 4 hr.

Time/Action Profile

(analgesic effect)

ROUTEONSETPEAKDURATION
POunknown1 hr4–6 hr





Contraind./Precautions

Contraindicated in:

Use Cautiously in:

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects

Interactions

Drug-drug:

Route/Dosage

When switching from immediate-release to extended-release product, the same total daily dose can be used.

Hepatic Impairment

Availability

Assessment

Toxicity and Overdose:

Implementation

Patient/Family Teaching

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

US Brand Names

Nucynta, Nucynta ER

Canadian Brand Names

Nucynta IR

Contr. Subst. Schedule

Schedule II (C-II)