Nucynta and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Lad...
• February 10, 2010

For Pain "Nucynta has worked very well for all my aches and pains, from the most severe to those I didn't even know I had. At first, it did make me groggy, which was a problem, but I kept taking it anyway because it did take away most of my pain. After a couple of months of use, it takes away my pain just like it did at the beginning, but I no longer feel sleepy. I feel energetic, happier, and am very active because I hardly feel any pain. I highly recommend it, but you do have to give it a chance because once your body adapts to it, the adverse effects far outweigh the benefits."

• har...
• December 8, 2009

For Pain "My doctor put me on Nucynta for lower back pain because I told him tabs are taking over my life and too addictive. He said try this medicine and see if you like it. It's less addictive. It takes care of the pain for about one hour but makes me sleepy so I can't take them at work. Tablets made me not only work more comfortable but feel good too. So if you want to try it just remember it's not like Lortabs or Percocets."

• Anonymous
• July 23, 2010

For Pain "I have been taking Nucynta for about 1 1/2 years now for fibromyalgia pain in my back. I started on the low dose of 50 mg, and that worked for a while, but had to move up to 75 mg. I think I may have to move up to the next mg dose again, but that does not mean that the medication is not working. Over the years, my fibromyalgia has slowly gotten worse, and I was not on any pain medicines for it because I did not know what was wrong with me. The only side effect I have experienced (besides the drowsiness for the first 2 weeks of taking the medicine) is being itchy. This is a medication that needs to be given the chance of at least 6 weeks before you decide that it isn't working."

• she...
• November 12, 2010

For Pain "I was just taken off Vicodin and given Nucynta to try for my chronic pain. I have chronic, acute pancreatitis and a kidney blockage. It was hard to find a pharmacy that carried this medication. I ended up going to a hospital pharmacy to have my prescription filled. The medicine is comparable to the Vicodin. I still itch with Nucynta, but not as bad as with the Vicodin. Nucynta's pain-relieving effects are short-lived. They last for about 3 hours. They change my voice also. I sound like a frog when talking. I am having trouble sleeping. This is only day 3 of taking this medication, so I will have to keep comparing. The medication does give me energy. It makes me groggy after about 45 minutes of taking the medicine."

• DWA...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 25, 2021

For Pain "I have been on Nucynta ER 250 mg 2x/day for several years. This medication is a lifesaver for me because it works for my pain and none of the side effects associated with other narcotics. I still have Oxycodone 10 mg for breakthrough pain management but only use as necessary. Nucynta provides relief in several different ways, and due to my genetics, it works great for me, where some will receive absolutely no relief. I do not suffer from tiredness, sleepiness, or any intestinal issues. My only issue is sometimes there are supply chain issues - the drug is manufactured in PR, and after major hurricanes, there have been disruptions. Also, pharmacists are very reluctant to fill even a day early, so it is difficult to plan your life around picking up a prescription. With all of this, I wouldn't want to change to any other pain management medication."

• Mon...
• March 26, 2010

For Pain "I have been in pain management for 12 years and have been placed on about anything I've ever heard of. Nucynta 100 mg 4 x daily does a really good job of relieving my pain from herniated discs. I've mainly been on oxycodone 10 mg to 30 mg Roxicodone, and the Nucynta works better than either of those for me. It may be due to the amount of time I've been on oxy as to why I can't feel it helping anymore. Been on Nucynta for about 7 months now, and it's expensive, and the worst side effect for me is drowsiness and having difficulty concentrating. I am in recovery now after C5/C6 replaced with titanium screws and a synthetic spacer, so I've been on a Dilaudid pump 6 mg per 4 hours, 20 mg Roxy, 100 mg Nucynta, 700 mg Soma, and still hurt."

• hec...
• August 17, 2011

For Pain "I have tried several pain medications over the years for chronic abdominal pain. I've had multiple surgeries which caused nerve damage and scar tissue in my abdomen. The most recent medicines I tried were Opana ER 30 mg 2x daily and Percocet 10 mg 3x daily for breakthrough pain. My doctor prescribed Methadone 5 mg 3x daily just to try something different. I was still having breakthrough pain, so he added Nucynta 50 mg 4 times daily for that. I have to admit, I was a skeptic. I am now a believer! This medication has worked wonders for me! I have been taking it for just over one month now, and aside from the sleepy feeling, there really have been no other side effects for me. I have energy that I never thought I could have again. I love this medicine."

• Anonymous
• February 4, 2010

For Pain "Helped with my pain (scoliosis), but after a few days I became very groggy even on the lowest dose (50 2x per day). Cannot take in the morning. They actually seem stronger than Vicoden, which I had before. Because of the groggy side effect, I really feel doped up on them and have told my Dr. I will use in the future for severe pain as needed, not as a daily thing."

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2012

For Pain "I've only been using Nucynta for a couple of days, but so far, it is working very well for me with very minimal side effects. I have chronic sciatica and have been on and off of low-dose hydrocodone for a couple of years now. I've been taking 50 mg of Nucynta 2-3 times a day. This seems to work almost as well on the pain and just seems easier on my body. It does make me a bit 'loopy' and a little groggy, but no more than the hydrocodone. I also have noticed that I'm not as hungry, which is not necessarily a bad thing! I will be interested to see how it works over time and whether it continues to work well over a period of time."

• pai...
• October 26, 2011

For Pain "I have suffered from back problems for almost 20 years and, more recently, neck problems, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. In that time, I have taken about every pain medication known to man, just to have them either work slightly or not work at all. Nucynta is my godsend. I am on 50 mg three times per day, although I try to keep it to one per day when my pain is at its worst so as not to form an addiction. The side effects aren't bad to me, comparatively speaking. I do get tired shortly after taking it, but then my pain disappears, and I have energy to do things that need to be done. I have some itching as well, but I can handle some itching and drowsiness if it means I have some pain-free time every day! So grateful."

• Anonymous
• August 10, 2011

For Pain "Nucynta has been a savior for me. I have fibromyalgia, and it is not pleasant. Thank goodness my rheumatologist sent me to pain management, and since being on Nucynta, the pain has subsided. I still can't do what I used to do, but no medicines take away fibromyalgia. I'm happy to be on Nucynta because, for me, it doesn't cause drowsiness like the others do. Maybe a little lightheaded, but doesn't last long. I would recommend it. Two months ago, I broke my toe, and Nucynta was awesome, it dulled the pain! So for me, Nucynta has been very positive to me."

• 2nd...
• August 19, 2011

For Pain "My doctor gave me 75 mg of Nucynta every 6 hours for a second-degree burn I got on my arm at work. I have an intolerance to painkillers and get sick off any kind I take with Nucynta. I did feel nausea but did not vomit, which is a first for me, however, the grogginess of this medication was still affecting me when I woke up for work 8 hours after my dose. It's a give or take game, I suppose."

• sup...
• March 22, 2011

For Pain "Nucynta is indeed a novel medicine. I have scoliosis with a 31 Cobb angle, and I have tried so many different medications, alternative medicine (including chiropractors and acupuncturists). The reason why Nucynta is great is that it takes away most of my pain, and it relaxes me. It has no 'euphoric feeling,' which makes it good for long-term use without a potential for abuse. That's why I believe that your pain doctor would also feel more comfortable prescribing it. I have been on it for a month now, and I can tell that it works perfectly. The only problem with Nucynta is that it makes you drowsy (and for me, it makes me go to sleep, so I cannot take it in the morning)."

• Anonymous
• September 2, 2011

For Pain "I was prescribed this by my physiatrist as an option for my AVN, degenerative disc disease, fibromyalgia, and myofascial pain disorder. Many typical pain medicines overly sedate me, make me all nauseous that I'd prefer the pain, or make me itch. This medicine has helped with moderate pain if I only need to take two tablets max a day, any more than that, comes the itching and nausea."

• mtr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2025

For Pain "Nucynta was so very effective on my peripheral neuropathy pain. Nothing else ever came close, but the price was exorbitant ($$$.00 on Medicare!!). Patients on commercial or private insurance are eligible for a manufacturer's coupon, making it less than the proverbial Starbucks coffee every 2 weeks. But it was a game changer for me. I do have a very dry mouth that has persisted after 4 months. However, although prescribed every 6 hours, I commonly sleep or nap through that time. I have been battling increasing pain over 12 years with less and less relief. Although I experienced several side effects, drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness with initial use, I also had immediate pain relief."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 3, 2025

For Pain "I have been using Nucynta for more than 8 years for the management of chronic migraine pain headaches. I have used the I/R versions as well as the E/R versions both in 50 and 100 mg strengths. I prefer Nucynta because it doesn't cause in me sleepiness, euphoria, or a 'dizziness high' like other opioids. I opted out of the 100 mg E/R because prolonged use, while extremely helpful, was causing sleepiness. A year ago, I asked my PM doctor to prescribe the I/R 50 mg dose, knowing if the migraine doesn't abate, I can safely take a second dose. Nucynta is only one of the tools in my migraine management toolbox and find it has been a blessing, primarily because it works well, isn't addictive, and isn't dangerous when taken as directed. I don't drink alcohol any longer from fear of a bad interaction, so it has also helped me shed some pounds, too. I recommend Nucynta for pain management."

• Kta...
• December 21, 2018

For Pain "This is a narcotic. I took it one time and said no way! I was so high I almost fell off the step stool. Slept for hours. Literally stoned, I was. That is not a way to treat pain. Sorry, it might help with the pain because you're asleep and don't feel it. There has to be a better way to treat pain than narcotics. People are dying every day because of the opioids. Why are we still giving them out?"

• Sam...
• June 3, 2014

For Pain "On 100 mg Nucynta 4 times a day works great for my chronic pain. Side effects are drowsiness, dizziness, clumsiness, no stomach issues."