Tapentadol Facts
Opioid;
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
- Perception
- none likely · 1 possible
- 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
- Try to wake them — shout their name, firm sternal rub
- Call emergency services immediately
- Administer naloxone if available
- Give rescue breaths (or CPR if there is no pulse)
- Place them in the recovery position
- 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