Both Nucynta, a trade name for Tapentadol ER, or TER, as it will be referred to in the remainder of this article, and Roxicodone, a form of the generic Oxycodone, to be referred to as OXY, are prescribed for long term relief of the chronic pain caused by conditions such as hip or knee osteoarthritis, or lower back pain, for instance. Conditions of this kind are currently estimated to affect around 100 million US citizens, with lower back pain being responsible for the suffering of more than a quarter of them, or to be more precise, 27 million people. Chronic lower back pain is in fact the most commonly occurring cause of disability in developed countries.
As researchers revealed, opioid painkillers with extended release are the most effective form of pain relief for individuals suffering from moderate up to severe chronic pain. The majority of these painkillers, including OXY, are nonetheless associated with relatively high incidences of a range of gastrointestinal problems, as well as a list of other side-effects, including:
Studies have shown that incidences of such gastrointestinal side effects as vomiting, nausea or constipation, at severity levels high enough to lead to discontinuation of the medication, was two and a half times greater in individuals taking OXY than in those taking TER. A one year study comparing the effectiveness and safety of TER to that of OXY showed an overall incidence around 85.7% in TER users, as opposed to the 90.6% in the OXY group. The difference, therefore, lies in the fact that TER appears to be safer.
As researchers revealed, opioid painkillers with extended release are the most effective form of pain relief for individuals suffering from moderate up to severe chronic pain. The majority of these painkillers, including OXY, are nonetheless associated with relatively high incidences of a range of gastrointestinal problems, as well as a list of other side-effects, including:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Pruritus (a very unpleasant sensation inducing an urge to scratch)
Studies have shown that incidences of such gastrointestinal side effects as vomiting, nausea or constipation, at severity levels high enough to lead to discontinuation of the medication, was two and a half times greater in individuals taking OXY than in those taking TER. A one year study comparing the effectiveness and safety of TER to that of OXY showed an overall incidence around 85.7% in TER users, as opposed to the 90.6% in the OXY group. The difference, therefore, lies in the fact that TER appears to be safer.