Tapentadol is a prescription opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain. It works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain while also inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine, making it unique among opioids. Tapentadol is available in immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) formulations, with ER versions typically prescribed for chronic pain conditions like neuropathic pain associated with diabetic neuropathy.