Tapentadol is a prescription medication primarily used to manage moderate to severe pain. It belongs to a class of drugs known as opioid analgesics, but it also has an additional mechanism of action: it inhibits norepinephrine reuptake, which helps enhance its pain-relieving effects. It's used to treat both acute pain (such as pain from surgery or injury) and chronic pain (like pain from conditions such as diabetic neuropathy). Dual-action—acts as a mu-opioid receptor agonist and inhibits norepinephrine reuptake. It is Available in immediate-release and extended-release formulations.