Tapentadol is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is an opioid analgesic that works by affecting how the brain perceives pain, while also inhibiting norepinephrine reuptake. This dual mechanism helps relieve pain more effectively for certain types of conditions. Tapentadol is often prescribed for conditions like chronic pain, neuropathic pain (nerve-related pain), and acute pain following surgery or injury. It is available in both immediate-release and extended-release formulations, depending on the nature and severity of the pain being treated.