Tapentadol is a centrally acting analgesic medication used for the management of moderate to severe pain. It's available under the brand names Nucynta and Palexia. Tapentadol is primarily prescribed for the treatment of acute pain, such as pain following surgery, as well as chronic pain conditions like neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy or neuropathic pain related to spinal cord injuries. It's also used for chronic musculoskeletal pain.