what is tapentadol used for

Tapentadol is an opioid medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is prescribed when other pain medications have not worked or cannot be tolerated. Tapentadol is available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms. The extended-release form is used to treat severe neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage in people who have diabetes. Tapentadol works by blocking pain signals in the brain and belongs to a group of medications called opioids. It is important to note that tapentadol has a risk for abuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death. Therefore, it should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor and for the shortest possible time. Suddenly stopping tapentadol can cause withdrawal symptoms.