Tapentadol vs Palexia, In this fast paced world, where pain management is tough, there is tapentadol which has emerged as a dual-action opioid offering relief for both acute to chronic pain. Marketed under the brand name Nucynta, it has gained popularity due to its combined properties.
Its international and generic versions have two common names- Tapentadol and Palexia, which often leads to a common question among patients, which Nucynta generic is better?
In this article, I have broken down both the options, compared their efficacy, cost and availability. that will help you understand which is the better option for your pain management needs.
Understanding Tapentadol
Tapentadol is a centrally acting synthetic analgesic, which was approved by the US FDA in 2008, and marketed under the brand name Nucynta. It is often prescribed for the treatment of
- Moderate to acute pain
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain
- Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Compared to other opioids, Tapentadol has less side effects and gastro-intestinal distress, as it carries lower risk of dependency.
What is Palexia?
This is the branded version of Tapentadol, which is primarily sold in europe, australia and selected asian countries.
Palexia has two major formulations
- Immediate release- for managing acute pain.
- Sustained release- for chronic pain conditions like, osteoarthritis and cancer related pain.
For understanding both of these medications in much depth, it is essential to note the key differences between these two.
Key differences between Tapentadol and palexia.
- Quality and formulation
- Tapentadol- this is easily available from multiple manufacturers around the world. The active compound is the same quality may slightly differ, depending on the producer.
- Palexia- this is sold as a branded product, which also adheres to the strict quality control and standards. This has an edge over its generics.
- Bioavailability
There is a slight difference between the generic and branded versions of the medication. Some patients also report that generic versions may kick in slower or not last as long.
However, Pharmacokinetic differences are generally minor and fall under the therapeutic margins which are acceptable.
- Efficacy
Since both of them contain the same therapeutic agent and are used to cure the following.
- Therapeutic pains
- Chronic lower back pain
- Post surgical and trauma pain
Hence, they both offer the right efficacy when used correctly.
- Side-effects
Since both of them are prescription only medication, they may have few side effects. Some of them are mentioned here,
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Constipation
Some of the users have reported lesser or no side effects with Palexia, as compared to the tapentadol.
- Cost and affordability
Tapentadol is comparatively more affordable and easily available across multiple online pharmacies, especially in India and south-east asia.
As compared to tapentadol, palexia is slightly costly and may also not cover all your insurance plans.
Hence, for the patients who are paying out of pocket the cost difference can be substantial.
Tips of using tapentadol or palexia safely
- Do not adjust the doses by yourself- stick to the recommended doses, overuse can lead to dependency and adverse effects.
- Avoid alcohol if you are on medication- mixing these medicines with the alcohol or other substances can lead to respiratory risks, and can even be fatal.
- Consult a doctor for long term use- consulting before continuing its use for the long term purpose, especially for chronic pain where dependency is the concern.
Final thoughts
Both medications provide excellent relief from the pain arising due to many reasons already mentioned above. If you are looking for the medication that is cost-effective and flexible then tapentadol is the best option.
However, if you are looking for high quality, consistent results and don’t mind buying premium, palexia serves you better, also it is advisable to always consult with your doctor before switching on the medications.
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