Please note: a valid prescription is required for all prescription medication.
Nucynta® IR is an immediate-release tapentadol tablet used for short-term management of moderate to severe acute pain when other treatments are not enough. CanadianInsulin offers Canadian pricing from Canada and ships to the US, with US delivery from Canada. You can review Nucynta IR online from Canada and compare options, which may help with Nucynta IR cost without insurance.
CanadianInsulin is a prescription referral service. We verify your prescription with your clinic, and licensed Canadian pharmacies dispense your order.
What Nucynta® Is and How It Works
Nucynta® IR contains tapentadol. It is an opioid analgesic for acute pain management in adults when non-opioid options are inadequate. The medicine works by activating mu-opioid receptors and by inhibiting norepinephrine reuptake in the central nervous system. These actions reduce how the body senses and responds to pain. Nucynta IR immediate-release tablets start working relatively quickly and are taken several times per day as directed by a clinician.
Because this medicine affects the brain and breathing centers, careful use is important. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time under medical supervision. Alcohol and sedatives increase risks.
Who Nucynta® Is For
Nucynta IR is indicated for adults with acute pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. It is not intended for pediatric use. It is not a first-line option for mild pain. For chronic daily pain needs, clinicians may select different regimens.
Nucynta IR should not be used in people with significant respiratory depression, acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting, known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction including paralytic ileus, or those taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or who have used MAOIs within the last 14 days. Hypersensitivity to tapentadol is also a contraindication.
Use caution in older adults, those with head injury, seizures, or impaired breathing. Dose adjustments or careful monitoring may be needed with hepatic impairment. It is generally not recommended in severe renal impairment. Discuss pregnancy, plans to become pregnant, and breastfeeding with a clinician due to risks of neonatal opioid withdrawal and other harms.
When pain has neuropathic features, non-opioid options may be considered. Examples include Gabapentin and Lyrica, depending on diagnosis. For background reading, see our overview on Diabetic Neuropathy.
Dosage and Usage
Typical adult dosing is 50 mg, 75 mg, or 100 mg by mouth every 4 to 6 hours, based on pain severity and prior analgesic experience. On day 1, if adequate pain relief is not achieved after the first dose, a second dose may be given 1 hour later. Thereafter, doses are spaced every 4 to 6 hours. The maximum dose is generally 700 mg on the first day and 600 mg per day on subsequent days. Follow the prescriber’s specific directions.
Swallow tablets whole with water. Do not cut, crush, dissolve, or chew the tablets. Nucynta IR may be taken with or without food. Avoid alcohol while taking tapentadol. Do not share with others.
Strengths and Forms
Nucynta IR immediate-release tablets are commonly available in these strengths. Availability can vary by pharmacy and time.
- Nucynta IR 50 mg tablets
- Nucynta IR 75 mg tablets
- Nucynta IR 100 mg tablets
When discussing active ingredient terms, these are often referred to as:
- Tapentadol IR 50 mg tablets
- Tapentadol IR 75 mg tablets
- Tapentadol IR 100 mg tablets
Missed Dose and Timing
If a scheduled dose is missed, take it as soon as remembered. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Do not double doses. Keep doses spaced every 4 to 6 hours as prescribed. Taking extra doses or taking doses too close together raises the risk of dangerous side effects, including severe drowsiness and breathing problems.
Storage and Travel Basics
Store tablets at room temperature, in a dry place, away from light. Keep in the original child-resistant container. For travel, keep medicine in carry-on luggage with the prescription label. Keep out of reach of children and pets, and lock up when possible. Do not share this prescription. Promptly discard unused tablets through a take-back program or follow local guidance for safe disposal.
Benefits
Nucynta IR provides short-term relief of moderate to severe acute pain when alternative treatments are inadequate. The immediate-release tablet allows flexible dosing intervals under clinical direction. Taking the medicine with or without food can help accommodate daily routines. For education on other pain types, see our feature on Migraine And Headache Awareness.
Side Effects and Safety
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Headache
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Itching or sweating
- Fatigue
- Abdominal discomfort
Serious risks can include addiction, abuse, and misuse; life-threatening respiratory depression; severe low blood pressure; fainting; seizures; serotonin syndrome; adrenal insufficiency; severe allergic reactions; and risks to a fetus or newborn with prolonged exposure during pregnancy. Seek emergency care for symptoms like extreme sleepiness, slow or shallow breathing, unresponsiveness, severe confusion, or signs of anaphylaxis. Use only under medical supervision and follow all warnings on the label.
Drug Interactions and Cautions
Combining tapentadol with other central nervous system depressants increases the risk of profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Examples include benzodiazepines, sleep medicines, muscle relaxants, other opioids, and alcohol. Avoid MAOIs and do not use tapentadol within 14 days of MAOI therapy. Using serotonergic drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, triptans, or linezolid may raise the risk of serotonin syndrome. Mixed opioid agonist/antagonists may reduce tapentadol’s effect and precipitate withdrawal in opioid-dependent patients. Caution is advised with conditions that increase intracranial pressure, with seizure disorders, or with significant hepatic impairment. Always provide a full medication list to the prescriber and pharmacist.
What to Expect Over Time
Pain relief typically begins after the first dose, with effects lasting about 4 to 6 hours for most patients. Drowsiness, dizziness, or nausea may occur early and sometimes lessen over several days as the body adjusts. Physical dependence can develop with repeated use. If therapy must stop, clinicians generally recommend a gradual taper to limit withdrawal symptoms. Long-term, daily management is usually reserved for other treatment plans as determined by the prescriber.
Compare With Alternatives
For ongoing pain that requires around-the-clock control, prescribers sometimes choose an extended-release formulation. One option is Nucynta® ER when appropriate. When neuropathic features are prominent, some patients may be directed to non-opioid medicines such as the SNRI Duloxetine, based on diagnosis and tolerability. The choice depends on clinical factors, response, and safety profiles.
Pricing and Access
CanadianInsulin lists Nucynta IR Canadian pricing with US delivery from Canada. You can check the Nucynta IR price from Canada and compare the Nucynta IR cash price across strengths. Many customers look at the Nucynta IR self-pay price or review Tapentadol IR Canadian pricing before deciding. If paying out of pocket, tapentadol IR cost without insurance may differ by strength and quantity. You can also review Tapentadol IR cash price by strength and then proceed to checkout.
Add the item to cart, upload the prescription, and our team will coordinate verification with the clinic. Checkout is encrypted. For current offers, see our Promotions page. To explore non-opioid options, browse our Pain Relief category.
Availability and Substitutions
Availability of Nucynta IR immediate-release tablets can vary by strength. If a strength is unavailable, a prescriber may recommend a different strength or an alternative therapy that fits the treatment goals. Pharmacy teams dispense only after a valid prescription is confirmed.
Patient Suitability and Cost Saving Tips
Good candidates have acute pain that warrants an opioid after other measures are insufficient. Those with significant respiratory disease, active MAOI use, or bowel obstruction should avoid tapentadol. Extra caution is needed in older adults and in those with hepatic impairment.
To help manage costs, consider asking about a larger supply when appropriate and permitted, since per-tablet pricing may improve with higher quantities. Setting refill reminders helps avoid gaps. Keeping documentation organized can streamline future orders. If costs remain high, discuss whether a non-opioid plan could meet the goals.
Questions to Ask Your Clinician
- Is Nucynta IR appropriate for the type and severity of pain being treated?
- Which starting strength is suitable, and how should doses be spaced?
- What signs of excessive sedation or breathing problems should be watched for?
- Which other medicines or supplements could interact with tapentadol?
- How long is therapy expected, and what is the plan for tapering if needed?
- What constipation prevention strategies are recommended while taking opioids?
- What alternatives exist if side effects or risks outweigh benefits?
Authoritative Sources
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What is Nucynta IR used for?
Nucynta IR (tapentadol) is used for short-term management of moderate to severe acute pain in adults when other treatments are inadequate. It is an immediate-release opioid analgesic taken several times per day as directed by a clinician.
How often can Nucynta IR be taken?
Typical adult dosing is 50 mg, 75 mg, or 100 mg every 4 to 6 hours, based on pain severity and prior analgesic exposure. Maximum doses on day 1 and thereafter follow the official label. Always follow prescriber directions.
Can Nucynta IR tablets be split or crushed?
No. Tablets should be swallowed whole. Do not cut, crush, dissolve, or chew them. Altering the tablet can lead to uncontrolled dosing and increased risk of serious side effects.
What are common side effects of Nucynta IR?
Common effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, dry mouth, headache, itching, and sweating. Serious risks include respiratory depression, addiction, low blood pressure, seizures, serotonin syndrome, and severe allergic reactions.
Does Nucynta IR interact with antidepressants?
Tapentadol can interact with serotonergic drugs, including SSRIs, SNRIs, and TCAs, increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. MAOIs are contraindicated and should not be used within 14 days of tapentadol.
Is Nucynta IR the same as tapentadol?
Nucynta IR is a brand of tapentadol immediate-release tablets. Tapentadol is the active ingredient. Strengths commonly include 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg tablets.
How should Nucynta IR be stored?
Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light, in the original container. Keep locked and out of reach of children and pets. When traveling, keep the labeled bottle in carry-on luggage.
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