Skip to main content

Tapentadol Facts

Opioid; Depressant; Substituted phenethylamine; Mu-opioid receptor agonist

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 12.5 mgLight25 – 50 mgCommon50 – 75 mgStrong75 – 150 mgHeavy150+ mg

Starts in 15 – 30 minLasts 4 – 6 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
High
Chronic toxicity
Moderate
Physical dependence
Moderate
Psychological dependence
Moderate
Withdrawal
Moderate
Compulsive redosing
Low

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
10 days
Carries over to
opioids

Effectslikely at a common dose

Body
Body high; Pain suppression; Pupil constriction; +21 possible, including Dizziness, Motor control impairment, Nausea
Thinking
none likely · 13 possible, including Analysis suppression, Cognitive impairment, Information processing suppression
Feeling
none likely · 4 possible, including Anhedonia
Self
none likely · 3 possible, including Craving, Communication suppression

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Concurrent CNS depressants; Paralytic ileus or acute/severe bronchial asthma; Seizure disorders; Severe hepatic impairment; Severe renal impairment; MAOI use within 14 days
Relative
Concurrent serotonergic drugs; Pregnancy and nursing; Children under 18 years

Combinations62 recorded

Lethal (6)
Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ketamine; Local anesthetics; Tramadol
Dangerous (34)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Amphetamines; Anticholinergics; Antihistamines; Benzodiazepines; Buprenorphine, Kratom; Cannabis, THC; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Gabapentin, Pregabalin; MAOIs; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; Naltrexone; NRIs; Psychedelics; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; Synthetic cannabinoids; THC; Antipsychotics; Buspirone; Caffeine; and 10 more, see full page
Caution (19)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/tapentadol
Not graded (3)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Unresponsive / can't be woken, even to a firm sternal rub
  • Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
  • Pinpoint pupils
  • Blue/grey lips, fingertips, or skin (cyanosis)
  • Limp body; pale, clammy skin
  • Choking or gurgling sounds ("death rattle")
  • Slow, erratic, or absent pulse

What to do

  1. Try to wake them — shout their name, firm sternal rub
  2. Call emergency services immediately
  3. Administer naloxone if available
  4. Give rescue breaths (or CPR if there is no pulse)
  5. Place them in the recovery position
  6. Stay with them; re-dose naloxone every 2–3 minutes if there is no response
Reversal agent
Naloxone (Narcan) — opioid antagonist. May require repeated doses; its effect can wear off before the opioid does.

With prompt naloxone and rescue breathing, reversal is usually rapid. Because naloxone can wear off before the opioid — especially with long-acting opioids (methadone) or high-potency ones (fentanyl) — a period of monitoring is needed even after the person revives.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

psychedex.org/substances/tapentadol · Version r1 · Not medical adviceValues as of
On the printout