Tapentadol is a prescription medication used primarily for the management of moderate to severe pain. It combines two mechanisms of action: opioid receptor agonism and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition. This dual action makes it effective for various types of pain. Tapentadol acts on the mu-opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which helps reduce the perception of pain. It inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter involved in pain modulation, which enhances its analgesic effect.