New Drugs of 2009 Series: Tapentadol
While it's not approved for fibromyalgia pain, the new drug tapentadol is likely to find a niche in fibromyalgia treatment. It was approved in November 2008, for moderate-to-severe acute pain, but it's not on the market yet because it's controlled-substance classification is yet to be determined. It also hasn't been given a brand name so far.
Tapentadol works in two ways - it boosts available levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (which tends to be low in people with fibromyalgia) and also contains an opiate, like Vicodin (acetaminophen hydrocodone) and OxyContin (oxycodone). A lot of fibromites don't get relief from opiates, but some of us do, including me. (I suspect, in my case at least, that's because it relieves my other sources of pain, which exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms.)
Tapentadol is most similar to Ultram (tramadol), which is somewhat popular as a fibromyalgia treatment. Ultram, however, boosts both norepinephrine and serotonin, which makes it risky to combine with other common treatments, such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.)
According to its manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, tapentadol performed as well as or better than existing drugs in clinical trials, and did so with few side effects. The most common side effects were those associated with opiates, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sleepiness and headaches.
What do you think - does tapentadol sound promising? Have you taken the similar drug, Ultram? What was your experience with it? Share your thoughts here, or in About.com's Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome community forum (under Newsletter & Blog Topics.)
Suggested Reading:
- Drugs as Fibromyalgia Treatments
- The Multidisciplinary Approach to Fibromyalgia Treatment
- Altnerative Treatments: Acupuncture, Massage & Other Bodywork
Photo © Bruce Laurance/Getty Images
This is interesting information. I’m very dependent on tramadol for pain relief but would like to try the new drug milnacipran. Apparently they can’t be combined because of the seratonin factor. Any information on when tapentadol will be available?
Sandra,
It’s considered a controlled substance, so now that it’s approved it has to jump a few more regulatory hoops before it goes on the market.