Analgesics, or painkillers, that act centrally and treat moderate to severe acute pain include tapentadol. In addition to being an opioid agonist, it inhibits norepinephrine reuptake. When alternative forms of pain relief, such as non-opioid painkillers or immediate-release opioid drugs, are insufficient, tapentadol is used to relieve pain severe enough to necessitate continuous, long-term opioid therapy.