Midol Extended Relief and Tapentadol Hydrochloride

• Generic Name: naproxen
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Aleve, Anaprox-DS, Flanax Pain Reliever, Midol Extended Relief, Naprelan 500, Naprosyn, EC-Naprosyn, Naprelan 375, Flanax, Naprelan, Anaprox, Naproxen Sodium, Aleve Caplet, Aleve Gelcap, Aleve Easy Open Arthritis

Midol Extended Relief is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Midol Extended Relief is used to treat pain or inflammation caused by conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, tendinitis, bursitis, gout, or menstrual cramps.

The delayed-release or extended-release tablets are slower-acting forms of naproxen that are used only for treating chronic conditions such as arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. These forms of naproxen will not work fast enough to treat acute pain.

Midol Extended Relief may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

• Generic Name: tapentadol
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Nucynta, Nucynta ER

Conventional tablets or oral solution: Relief of acute pain that is severe enough to require an opiate analgesic and for which alternative treatment options (e.g., nonopiate analgesics, opiate-containing fixed combinations) have not been, or are not expected to be, adequate or tolerated.

Extended-release tablets: Management of pain (including neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy) that is severe enough to require long-term, daily, around-the-clock use of an opiate analgesic and for which alternative treatment options (e.g., nonopiate analgesics, immediate-release opiates) are inadequate or not tolerated. Not indicated for as-needed (“prn”) use.

In symptomatic treatment of acute pain, reserve opiate analgesics for pain resulting from severe injuries, severe medical conditions, or surgical procedures, or when nonopiate alternatives for relieving pain and restoring function are expected to be ineffective or are contraindicated. Use smallest effective dosage for shortest possible duration since long-term opiate use often begins with treatment of acute pain. Optimize concomitant use of other appropriate therapies. (See Managing Opiate Therapy for Acute Pain under Dosage and Administration.)

Generally use opiates for management of chronic pain (i.e., pain lasting >3 months or past the time of normal tissue healing ) that is not associated with active cancer treatment, palliative care, or end-of-life care only if other appropriate nonpharmacologic and nonopiate pharmacologic strategies have been ineffective and expected benefits for both pain relief and functional improvement are anticipated to outweigh risks.

If used for chronic pain, opiate analgesics should be part of an integrated approach that also includes appropriate nonpharmacologic modalities (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, biofeedback, functional restoration, exercise therapy, certain interventional procedures) and other appropriate pharmacologic therapies (e.g., nonopiate analgesics, analgesic adjuncts such as selected anticonvulsants and antidepressants for certain neuropathic pain conditions).

Available evidence insufficient to determine whether long-term opiate therapy for chronic pain results in sustained pain relief or improvements in function and quality of life or is superior to other pharmacologic or nonpharmacologic treatments. Use is associated with serious risks (e.g., opiate use disorder, overdose). (See Managing Opiate Therapy for Chronic Noncancer Pain under Dosage and Administration.)