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Ask
the Pharmacist By Ron and Marla Chapleau |
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Q) Are there any new medications available for pain? A) The newest pain killer on the market is a drug called Nucynta CR (tapentadol). The drug is intended to treat moderate to severe pain that is expected to last for at least several days. It acts on the same area of the brain as narcotics do and is therefore classified as a narcotic itself. It also increases the amount of norepinephrine in the brain as do some of the current anti-depressants that are available. This dual action is similar to the painkiller tramadol but it is considerably stronger in its ability to provide relief from pain. In fact, Nucynta 100-milligrams is approximately similar in strength to Oxycontin 20-milligrams. The advantage of Nucynta over Oxycontin is that it will probably cause less constipation, nausea, vomiting and hopefully, fewer addiction issues. Nucynta is also expected to have fewer drug interactions than tramadol but, like its cousin, must be used cautiously when combined with drugs that increase serotonin such as many of the anti-depressants and the triptans (migraine drugs such as Zomig and Imitrex), for fear of triggering serotonin syndrome.
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For
patients who need the occasional painkiller on top of the Nucynta,
acetaminophen (an anti-inflammatory) or tramadol would be appropriate. Nucynta is available in 50-, 100-, 150-, 200- and 250-milligram strengths. It should generally be initiated at 50-milligrams twice per day and increased every three days, if necessary, to a maximum of 250-milligrams twice per day. For more information about this or any other health-related questions, contact the pharmacists at Gordon Pharmasave, Your Health and Wellness Destination
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