This article describes Nucynta’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Nucynta.
Nucynta is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet. Nucynta ER is a brand-name medication that comes as an extended-release oral tablet. “Extended release” means the drug is released into your body slowly over a long period of time. Neither Nucynta nor Nucynta ER is available in a generic version. This article describes dosages of Nucynta and Nucynta ER.
Boxed warnings
Nucynta and Nucynta ER have boxed warnings about the following risks. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These risks are:
- misuse and addiction
- serious respiratory depression
- accidental ingestion
- neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome
- serious effects if taken with certain other medications or alcohol
See the end of this article for more information about these warnings.
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Forms and strengths of Nucynta
Nucynta and Nucynta ER come in these forms and strengths described in milligrams (mg):
| Form | How to take | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| oral tablet | take by swallowing | • 50 mg • 75 mg • 100 mg |
| extended-release oral tablet | take by swallowing | • 50 mg • 100 mg • 150 mg • 200 mg • 250 mg |
Dosage of Nucynta
This article describes the recommended dosages for Nucynta and Nucynta ER. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Nucynta or Nucynta ER without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosages of Nucynta in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Nucynta or Nucynta ER. Then they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Nucynta or Nucynta ER that gives the desired outcome. Your doctor will also prescribe the drug for the shortest duration needed for your condition.
Below is the recommended dosage for Nucynta.
| Purpose | Starting dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|
| short-term, severe pain | 50–100 mg every 4–6 hours as needed for pain* | 600 mg total per day* |
* On day 1, the second dose may be given as soon as 1 hour after the first dose if the first dose does not provide adequate pain relief. The maximum dosage allowed on day 1 is 700 mg total.
Below is the recommended dosage for Nucynta ER.
| Purpose | Usual starting dosage | Usual maintenance dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| severe, persistent pain or severe, persistent pain due to diabetic neuropathy | 50 mg twice per day, approximately every 12 hours | 100–250 mg twice per day | 500 mg total per day |
Dosages of Nucynta in children
Nucynta oral tablet is approved to treat short-term, severe pain in children ages 6 years and older who weigh at least 40 kilograms (kg) and are able to swallow tablets. One kilogram is about 2.2 pounds.
Nucynta ER is not approved for use in children.
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Nucynta. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your child’s doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Nucynta that gives the desired outcome. Your child’s doctor will also prescribe the drug for the shortest duration needed for their condition. In children, the prescribing information states that treatment should not last longer than 3 days.
| Body weight | Starting dosage | Maximum dosage |
|---|---|---|
| 40–59 kg | 50 mg once every 4 hours | maximum single dose: 50 mg maximum daily dose: 7.5 mg/kg/day, and no more than 600 mg total per day |
| 60–79 kg | 50 mg once every 4 hours | maximum single dose: 75 mg maximum daily dose: 7.5 mg/kg/day, and no more than 600 mg total per day |
| at least 80 kg | 50 mg once every 4 hours | maximum single dose: 100 mg maximum daily dose: 7.5 mg/kg/day, and no more than 600 mg total per day |
Dosage adjustments for Nucynta
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Nucynta or Nucynta ER based on several factors. These include:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- how well your liver works
- other health conditions you may have
- whether you have taken an opioid pain reliever in the past
- whether you have any risks for misuse and addiction
Missed dose of Nucynta
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Nucynta ER. They will likely advise you to skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of Nucynta ER and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Nucynta and its dosage.
How does the dosage of Nucynta compare with the dosage of oxycodone or tramadol?
It depends. Nucynta is an opioid pain reliever. Oxycodone or tramadol are also opioid pain relievers. The dosage of any opioid must be tailored to each person.
Like Nucynta, both oxycodone and tramadol come as an immediate-release oral tablet and an extended-release oral tablet. The immediate-release oral tablets release the drug into the body right away after you take a dose. The extended-release oral tablets release the drug into the body slowly over time.
There are some similarities with dosages of these drugs. The following are examples.
- The immediate-release oral tablets of Nucynta, oxycodone, and tramadol, are taken by mouth every 4–6 hours as needed for pain.
- The extended-release oral tablets of Nucynta ER or oxycodone are taken by mouth every 12 hours. The extended-release oral tablets of tramadol are taken by mouth once per day.
That said, the dosages of these medications differ in some ways. For instance, the tablets come in different strengths and may be used in different age groups.
For more details about how the dosage of Nucynta compares with the dosages of oxycodone or tramadol, see our articles about oxycodone oral tablet or tramadol oral tablet.
Is Nucynta taken long term?
Yes, it can be. It depends partly on whether you’re prescribed Nucynta or Nucynta ER.
Doctors don’t typically prescribe Nucynta oral tablet as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for the shortest duration needed for your condition. Many conditions that cause short-term pain require no more than a few days of an opioid pain reliever, such as Nucynta. In children, treatment with Nucynta should not last longer than 3 days.
On the other hand, doctors typically prescribe Nucynta ER as a long-term treatment. It’s not approved to be used as needed for pain. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term. But it’s still important for Nucynta ER to be prescribed for the shortest duration of time needed to meet your treatment goals.
The dosage and duration of any opioid must be tailored to each person. If you have questions about how long you should take Nucynta or Nucynta ER, talk with your doctor.
How Nucynta is taken
You’ll swallow Nucynta oral tablet by mouth once every 4–6 hours as needed for pain. It can be taken with or without food.
You’ll swallow Nucynta ER by mouth twice per day, approximately every 12 hours. It can be taken with or without food. You should swallow the tablets whole. Take one tablet at a time, with enough water to ensure you can completely swallow it right after putting it in your mouth. Do not cut, chew, crush, or dissolve the tablets. Doing so can increase the risk of an overdose that could be fatal.
Your doctor may advise that you take Nucynta or Nucynta ER around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
With Nucynta or Nucynta ER, take the drug exactly as your doctor prescribed. Do not adjust the dose without talking with your doctor first.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
Nucynta coupon
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