- Relieves moderate to severe acute pain (post-surgery, injury, dental
procedures, etc.)
- Effective for chronic musculoskeletal pain (back pain, osteoarthritis) when
other painkillers are insufficient
- Dual-action mechanism: works as opioid (mu-opioid receptor agonist) +
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (stronger than tramadol)
- Provides faster and more consistent pain relief compared to traditional
opioids in many patients
- Lower risk of nausea/vomiting and constipation than oxycodone or
morphine
- Available in immediate-release (50–100 mg every 4–6 hours) and
extended-release (for around-the-clock chronic pain)
- Often prescribed when NSAIDs or weaker opioids fail
Precautions
Do NOT combine with MAO inhibitors, SSRIs, SNRIs, or alcohol – high risk of
life-threatening serotonin syndrome and respiratory depression.
Risk of addiction, abuse, and overdose – use exactly as prescribed; sudden
stopping can cause severe withdrawal.
Seek immediate help if you experience slow/shallow breathing, extreme
drowsiness, seizures, or confusion.
