Review Articles
Role of tapentadol in pain management
Author:
Victor Mendis
GB
About Victor
Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia, Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust, Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 7ET,
Abstract
This article reviews tapentadol, a novel centrally-acting opioid analgesic that exerts its analgesic effects through mu-opioid receptor agonism and additionally via noradrenaline reuptake inhibition and so potentially has a role in the treatment of both nociceptive and neuropathic pain.
Appropriate management of acute, chronic and cancer pain remains a considerable challenge for health-care providers. The physiological and psychological effects of uncontrolled pain lead to unnecessary suffering and financial loss, not only to the individual concerned but to the family and society. Current pharmacological treatment options for the management of pain are limited by significant side effects affecting the CNS, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system and the respiratory system.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/slja.v22i1.6239
Published on
04 Jan 2014.
Peer Reviewed
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