Dangerous New Drug: Nucynta

Apparently in the eyes of the makers of Nucynta there aren’t enough drugs on the market to take care of, well, pretty much anything, including pain. Nucynta is one of  the newest opioid analgesics to hit the market. This means that, yes Nucynta provides pain relief that is comparable to other more well-known opioid analgesics such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. Nucynta though, is meant to have more tolerable side effects. But that hasn’t stopped many people from finding themselves with Nucynta addiction.

What is Nucynta?

Nucynta or Tapentadol, was approved by the United States FDA for the treatment of moderate to acute pain, and in 2011, the extended release formula of the drug known as Nucynta ER, was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of specific types of moderate to severe chronic pain. Because Nucynta not only helps to combat pain but also helps with norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, Nucynta has the possibility of helping with many off-label uses including chronic pain and certain mood disorders. The mixture of an opiate and a serotonin-norepinephrine (SNRI) reuptake inhibitor is meant to make the opiate more effective.

Nucynta addiction

Nucynta has many adverse effects including an addiction potential. Many of the side effects of Nucynta are similar to those of oxycodone and morphine. Nucynta has been shown to cause less nausea and dizziness than morphine though. Nucynta can impair physical and mental abilities and with regular use can result in dependence which can lead to a Nucynta addiction. Someone who has a Nucynta addiction will experience Nucynta withdrawal symptoms just as they would if they had any other kind of opiate addiction.

Nucynta can be abused either by crushing, chewing, snorting or injecting it. Using Nucynta in this way can easily lead to an overdose and potentially death as well as a Nucynta addiction. Nucynta addiction overdose is not very common but it can happen. Nucynta can suppress breathing and this can cause overdose and death. Nucynta overdose is more likely to happen if it is taken with other drug such as alcohol. Alcohol has been shown to increase the effects of Nucynta making it much more dangerous. Signs of a Nucynta overdose can include hypotension, coma, respiratory depression, and somnolence.

Someone who has a past history of addiction is at a much higher risk of abusing Nucynta and is at a higher risk of using Nucynta with other drugs and alcohol; and is therefore also at a much higher risk of developing a Nucynta addiction.

Nucynta addiction looks just like an addiction to any other opiate. Many Nucynta addicts will use the same methods to get the drug that they would use to get morphine or oxycodone. Nucynta addiction can cause a person to doctor shop, medication seek, and buy the drug on the street. The potential this drug has for a Nucynta addiction is part of the reason it is classified as a Schedule II narcotic with oxycodone and morphine.

Once a Nucynta addiction has formed in order for the individual to get off the drug they have to go through the withdrawal process. Withdrawal symptoms due to a Nucynta addiction can be really unpleasant and just as with any other opiate withdrawal it is recommended that a Nucynta addict seek professional medical help.

Nucynta addiction withdrawal symptoms can include but are not limited to:

•             Anxiety

•             Sweating

•             Trouble sleeping

•             Tremors

•             Diarrhea

•             Hallucinations

Treatment for a Nucynta addiction usually begins with detox where the individual will be given suboxone or will slowly taper off the medication just as if they were detoxing from oxycodone. Luckily for anyone with a Nucynta addiction treatment is available and no one has to be stuck in it. If you or your loved one is in need of Nucynta addiction treatment, please give us a call at 800-951-6135.