The most popular generic Tapentadol brand names are Palexia, Nucynta, and Aspadol. These are formulated with the same active compound but differ in their names based on their manufacturing company.
Aspadol is the most affordable Tapentadol brand, whereas Nucynta is the most commonly available brand in the USA. In comparison, Palexia is more widely available in European countries.
Tapentadol is an opioid analgesic that has gained recognition for its effectiveness in managing both acute and chronic pain. Tapentadol's dual mechanism of action differentiates it from other analgesics, making it a much more potent option.
Various pharmaceutical companies manufacture these medications, which are available under different brand names. Due to the distinctive color of the tablet, it is also known as the Tapentadol Hydrochloride Orange pill. However, the variety of brand names it goes by adds complexity to its usage and understanding. Being well-informed about these brand names is crucial for patients and caregivers.
This blog looks into the different brand names of Tapentadol and helps you evaluate the best option for you.
Common Tapentadol Brand Names
Tapentadol is marketed under various brand names globally. The most widely recognized are-
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Nucynta
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Palexia
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Aspadol
Each brand contains the same active ingredient, Tapentadol Hydrochloride (HCL), and has a similar mechanism of action. However, it may vary in formulation, dosage strengths, packaging, labeling, and regional availability. The following section will give you better insights into the Tapentadol brands mentioned above.
Aspadol Tablets
Aspadol, manufactured by Signature Pharmaceuticals Ltd., is a common brand name for Tapentadol. Established in 1995, Signature Pharmaceutical, headquartered in India, is an expert in developing quality medicine with high-quality standards.
Aspadol 100 Mg By Signature Pharmaceuticals
The Aspadol tablets come in a blister pack of 10 tablets per strip. It is a round tablet and is sunset yellow in color.
Warning by the manufacturer- To be sold on the prescription of registered medical practitioners only.
Buying Aspadol in the USA is a much more affordable option due to its low-cost production in India while maintaining the drug's efficacy and potency. According to the website Pharmaoffer, the cost of production in India is 60% cheaper than in the U.S. and 50% cheaper than in Europe.
Nucynta Tablets
Collegium Pharmaceutical manufactures and distributes Nucynta tablets. This is the most common Tapentadol brand available in the USA. It is available in the strengths of 50 mg, 75mg, and 100 mg, which is the most commonly prescribed Tapentadol dosage.
The cost of Nucynta 100mg, however, is much higher than the other brand drugs of Tapentadol.
Disclaimer by Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc.
Approval date: November 20, 2008
Caution: Federal law prohibits the transfer of this drug to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed.
Palexia Tablets
The Palexia pills are manufactured by Grünenthal Ltd, a leading pharmaceutical company headquartered in Germany (United Kingdom). It is not very commonly available in local pharmacies in the USA and is often ordered online.
Palexia is formulated with 116.48 mg of Tapentadol HCL and 49.48 mg of lactose. This Tapentadol brand drug can be identified by its pink round-shaped film-coated tablet that has a 9 mm diameter. It is marked with the Grunenthal logo on one side and "H8" on the other side of the pill.
In the UK, Palexia tablets are available in boxes of 28 and 56 tablets packed in blisters.
Available Formulation
All Tapentadol brand drugs are available as dosage formulations of Immediate-Release (IR) tablets and Extended-Release (ER) or Sustained-Release (SR) Tablets.
The FDA approved the Immediate-Release tablets of Tapentadol on November 20, 2008. These tablets provide pain relief for 5 to 6 hours. IR tablets are effective for moderate to severe acute pain that needs immediate attention.
In comparison, the SR or ER tablets have a slow-release, sustained formulation that offers a round-the-clock analgesic effect for an extended period. It is advisable for severe chronic pain and has 12 hours of action time. Its medical use was approved in 2009 by the FDA as a Schedule II controlled substance.
Is Tapentadol Available As A Generic?
No, currently, there is no generic Tapentadol available in the United States.
Generic medicines are often available after the patent on the brand drug expires.
The generic tablets are manufactured under the drug's chemical name and marketed after meeting the same FDA quality and standards as the original.
Nucynta's patent expiration date is June 27, 2025. So, generic Tapentadol tablets may be available on the market after June 2025.
Brand-Specific Benefits And Efficacy
There are not many differences in the effectiveness and potency of these Tapentadol brand drugs as they are formulated with the same active ingredient. However, a few factors that should be taken into consideration while choosing the right brand of Tapentadol are listed below.
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Factors |
Aspadol |
Nucynta |
Palexia |
|---|---|---|---|
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Efficacy |
Aspadol, Nucynta, and Palexia are formulated with Tapenatdol and thus show similar efficacy and potency. |
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Onset of Action |
Thirty minutes from the time of intake. |
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Benefits |
It is the most affordable Tapentadol brand in the USA. |
It is more commonly available in the United States. |
A more preferable choice in Europe, Australia, and some other countries. |
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Cost |
$2.7 per pill at Healthnaturo. |
$15.89 per pill ($1,588.79 for 100 tablets). Source- Drugs.com. |
The annual cost of treatment for patients receiving Palexia 50 mg is $409.86, whereas that for 250 mg of Tapentadol is $2048.48 [1]. |
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Disadvantage |
Aspadol tablets are not commonly available in the local market and can be bought online. |
A higher cost than other brands drugs of Tapentadol. |
It is not commonly available in local pharmacies. However, its availability online in the USA is much less than that of Aspadol. |
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Duration of Action |
The duration of the analgesic effect of Aspadol, Nucynta, and Palexia IR tablets is 6 hours, whereas the ER or SR formulation tablets act for 12 hours. |
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Patient Experience And Testimonials With Different Brands
The user rating of Nucynta IR on the website Drugs is 6.2 out of 10, whereas that of Nucynta ER is 7.2 [2, 3].
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Condition |
Nucynta ER User Rating |
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Body pain |
7.1 |
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Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy |
8.1 |
Meanwhile, on the website WebMD, the Nucynta ER has a user rating of 3.4 out of 5, with a 3.5 rating for effectiveness, 4.5 for ease of use, and 2.5 for satisfaction [4].
In a discussion on the social platform Quora, Gangadharan Nair stated that Aspadol works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. He also discussed the benefits of managing neuropathic pain with Tapentadol in diabetic patients [5].
No specific reviews are available online for Palexia as a brand drug. However, the overall review for Tapentadol Hydrochloride on the website Drugs is 6.2 out of 10. About 52% of users reported a positive experience, and 29% reported a negative experience [6].
Our Final Thoughts On The Tapentadol Brand Names
Tapentadol is an opioid analgesic available under various brand names, including Palexia, Aspadol, and Nucynta. However, other brand names are available apart from the ones mentioned here.
The brand name of a drug is given by the company that manufactures and markets it, and thus, they differ from each other. Meanwhile, the generic name of the tablet is based on its active compound.
Choosing the right Tapentadol brand drug for you-
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If you are on a budget, it is advisable to get Aspadol tablets to manage body pain. However, it is not widely available in the local pharmacies in the USA, so the best option is to get it through online pharmacies.
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Nucynta, on the other hand, is more commonly available in the USA; however, it is much more expensive than Aspadol.
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Palexia is a brand drug that is manufactured by Grünenthal Pharmaceuticals and is mostly available in the UK. One of the major drawbacks of Palexia is that it is not commonly available in the USA or online.