Dangers of combining opioids like tapentadol with alcohol can include increased sedation, respiratory depression, decreased heart rate, low blood pressure and impaired cognitive function. Such interactions increase the risk of overdose, which can be fatal.[1]
As an opioid analgesic, tapentadol produces several effects, including these:[2]
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which affects multiple areas of the body and brain. Effects of alcohol use include the following:[3]
Mixing tapentadol and alcohol can have serious and potentially lethal results.
When taken together, these substances can suppress the central nervous system more than either does alone. The combination amplifies each substance’s effects, potentially leading to increased sedation, respiratory depression, decreased heart rate and low blood pressure levels.[1]
The interaction between tapentadol and alcohol increases the risk of experiencing extreme drowsiness, impaired coordination, confusion and even loss of consciousness. In addition, the risk of overdose increases significantly, which can be fatal.[1]
Refrain from drinking alcohol while taking tapentadol.[4] If you have questions, consult your healthcare provider and follow their advice regarding medication use.
Some of the risks and dangers associated with mixing tapentadol and alcohol include the following:[1,5-7]
Both alcohol and tapentadol can individually induce sedation. When taken together, they can have additive or synergistic effects that amplify each other. This can lead to severe drowsiness, confusion, impaired cognitive and motor functions, and reduced coordination that increases risk for accidents, falls, injuries and other hazards.
When respiration is depressed, breathing becomes shallow and does not provide the brain with enough oxygen. Both tapentadol and alcohol have the capacity to depress the respiratory system. When used together, these effects can intensify even further, resulting in severe respiratory depression that can lead to oxygen deprivation, unconsciousness and life-threatening complications.
Opioids, including tapentadol, have a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is relatively small. It doesn’t take much more than the prescribed dose to reach toxic levels in the body.
When taken with alcohol, which enhances the sedative effects of tapentadol, it is even easier to reach concentration levels that are overwhelming to the system. This can lead to potentially life-threatening consequences, including coma, seizures and cardiac arrest.
The presence of alcohol can interfere with tapentadol absorption, distribution, metabolism, efficacy and safety, altering its pharmacokinetics as well as potentially impacting both efficacy and safety. Both substances metabolize in the liver, which compounds this risk by placing additional stress on it. This could possibly result in liver toxicity or even liver failure.
Misuse of multiple substances is associated with higher rates of overdose. Among overdose deaths in 2019, over half involved more than one substance.[8]
Polysubstance misuse is often a clear indicator of a substance use disorder (SUD). In the case of tapentadol and alcohol misuse, it may indicate both an opioid use disorder (OUD) and an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) is an established, evidence-based approach to manage both OUD and AUD.[9] MAT involves a combination of medication to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings with therapy and counseling to address life issues that contributed to substance misuse.
At Bicycle Health, we prescribe Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone) to manage OUD.
Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist medication that reduces withdrawal symptoms and craving associated with tapentadol dependence. Naloxone acts as an opioid antagonist to counteract the effects of misused opioids, significantly reducing the risks of possible Suboxone misuse.[10]
MAT with Suboxone can change your life, allowing you to safely and effectively enter and maintain recovery from tapentadol misuse. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help.
Peter Manza, PhD received his BA in Psychology and Biology from the University of Rochester and his PhD in Integrative Neuroscience at Stony Brook University. He is currently working as a research scientist in Washington, DC. His research focuses on the role of the brain dopamine system in substance use disorders and in aging. He also studies brain function in obesity and eating disorders.
