Nucynta Side Effects

Generic name: tapentadol

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 7, 2022.

Note: This document contains side effect information about tapentadol. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Nucynta.

In Summary

Common side effects of Nucynta include: drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Other side effects include: constipation, pruritus, and xerostomia. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

For the Consumer

Applies to tapentadol: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

Along with its needed effects, tapentadol (the active ingredient contained in Nucynta) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking tapentadol:

Less common

• Bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• body aches or pain
• chills
• cough
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficulty with breathing
• fever
• headache
• loss of voice
• lower back or side pain
• muscle aches
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

• Anxiety
• being forgetful or confused
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• drowsiness
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• feeling drunk
• irritability or restlessness
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• rash, hives, or itching
• seizures
• sensation of heaviness
• shakiness or trembling
• slurred speech
• swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
• tightness in the chest
• trouble swallowing
• trouble with speaking or hoarseness

Incidence not known

• Agitation
• changes in behavior
• confusion
• darkening of the skin
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• fainting
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
• loss of appetite
• mental depression
• nausea
• overactive reflexes
• poor coordination
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• shivering
• sweating
• talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
• thoughts of killing oneself
• trembling or shaking
• twitching
• vomiting

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking tapentadol:

Symptoms of overdose

• Change in consciousness
• chest pain or discomfort
• cold, clammy skin
• coughing that sometimes produce a pink frothy sputum
• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• difficult or trouble breathing
• increased sweating
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• lightheadedness, dizziness or fainting
• loss of consciousness
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• swelling in the legs and ankles

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention

Some side effects of tapentadol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Constipation

Less common

• Abnormal dreams
• heartburn or indigestion
• muscle pain or stiffness
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Rare

• Change in vision

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to tapentadol: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

General

The most common adverse reactions were nausea, dizziness, vomiting, constipation, headache, and somnolence.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 30%), vomiting (up to 18%), constipation (up to 17%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dry mouth, dyspepsia, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort

Rare (less than 0.1%): Impaired gastric emptying^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (up to 24%), headache (up to 15%), somnolence (up to 15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Tremor, lethargy, vertigo, disturbance in attention, sedation, hypoesthesia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Memory impairment, mental impairment, syncope, balance disorder, dysarthria, paresthesia, depressed level of consciousness, presyncope, ataxia

Rare (less than 0.1%): Convulsion, coordination abnormal

Frequency not reported: Seizure, serotonin syndrome^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, confusion, abnormal dreams, anxiety, depression, irritability, nervousness, drug withdrawal syndrome, restlessness, sleep disorder, hallucination, depressed mood

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Disorientation, agitation, perception disturbances, euphoric mood, nightmare

Rare (less than 0.1%): Thinking abnormal, drug dependence

Postmarketing reports: Suicidal ideation, panic attack^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, asthenia, chills, edema, feeling hot, feeling cold, feeling of body temperature change, mucosal dryness

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Feeling abnormal, feeling drunk, feeling of relaxation^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, hyperhidrosis, pruritus generalized, rash, flushing

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria

Postmarketing reports: Angioedema^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Nasopharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, dyspnea

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Respiratory depression, oxygen saturation decreased, cough^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Hot flush, hypotension

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Heart rate increased, heart rate decreased, blood pressure decreased, palpitations, left bundle branch block^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, erectile dysfunction

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary hesitation, pollakiuria, sexual dysfunction^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia, involuntary muscle contractions, muscle spasms

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bone pain, sensation of heaviness^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Weight decreased^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Vision blurred

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Visual disturbance^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock^[Ref]

Hepatic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): GGT increased, ALT increased, AST increased^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer