Tapentadol is a prescription opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain, including chronic pain and neuropathic pain. It works through a dual mechanism: binding to mu-opioid receptors and inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine, which enhances pain relief. Tapentadol is available in immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) formulations. The IR version is used for acute pain relief, typically lasting 4-6 hours, while the ER version provides continuous pain management for up to 12 hours and is often prescribed for chronic conditions like osteoarthritis or diabetic neuropathy.