Nucynta and Itching: What Users Say

• Mib...
• May 20, 2014

For Pain "After orthopedic foot surgery, I was prescribed Percocet. After side effects, my medication was changed to Nucynta. For me, I prefer the Nucynta. My problems with constipation went away immediately. I had a little itchiness from Nucynta, but nothing I couldn't tolerate. I got much better pain relief from the Nucynta too. Good thing I have insurance as it's very pricey."

• Ghe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2016

For Pain "I'm not sure why this medication is considered a Schedule II 'narcotic.' Perhaps having been prescribed Oxycodone, Hydromorphone, and Fentanyl in the past is a factor in forming this opinion, but I have been fortunate enough to find a specialist willing to treat fibromyalgia-related pain with Nucynta. This medication does not give me any of the usual negative opioid side effects, nor the weird SSRI/SNRI type mental side effects of Tramadol. Nausea is rare and possibly unrelated, no itching, or lack of mental clarity. I can see why it would be inadequate for post-surgical or trauma-induced pain, but it works perfectly for my current state of managing physical therapy after a long period of inactivity."

• KLH...
• September 17, 2010

For Pain "I was given this medication after a series of painful surgeries. I took 100 mg every 4-6 hours for pain. This medicine did relieve all of my pain. It made me a bit itchy. The problem came when I tried to get off of it 3 days ago. I'm having severe anxiety, which I've never had before. My doctor said it's withdrawal symptoms. I pray I get over this feeling soon."

• 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."

• And...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 7, 2016

For Pain "I have three herniated discs in my lower back. I started taking Nucynta after I built up a tolerance to other painkillers (codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone). If I take a whole pill, it puts me to sleep, the pain goes away, but my face and neck itch; this can last 6 hours. I have found if I take half a pill, it takes the edge off the pain, and there's no itching, and I don't feel sleepy; I can work and even drive. I take these halves every 5 hours until I know the pain subsides. I'm on and off these pills; never had other side effects. I don't take them long enough (maybe 2-4 days) to get addicted."

• 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."

• MAA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2022

For Pain "I have been on this medication for only 2 months. My insurance pays for it totally. The only side effect is itching, but I will itch happily. The medication actually...opposite of side effects...makes me feel awake and ready for the day. I have fibromyalgia, degenerative disease, scoliosis, osteoarthritis, and several issues with my vertebrae, back, feet, joints, etc."

• Sti...
• June 5, 2011

For Pain "Was prescribed Nucynta for pain associated with sciatica and herniated disk in L5/S1. Although it did relieve the pain, the side effects I've experienced are just not worth it. Horrible headache, itching, sweating, constipation, and depression."

• 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."