Tapentadol immediate-release for acute postbunionectomy pain: a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study in Taiwan

60 patients between the ages of 20-80 and undergoing bunionectomy surgery were randomized to receive either instant-release oral tapentadol 50mg, instant-release oral tapentadol 75mg, or placebo postoperative pain management. The purpose of the study was to determine the efficacy and safety of tapentadol for pain management in the Taiwanese population. Results found 50mg and 75mg tapentadol to provide significantly greater pain intensity reduction and greater pain relief compared to placebo treatment. More adverse events were observed in the tapentadol groups, with dizziness, nausea, and vomiting being the most common events. No serious adverse events or deaths were observed in any treatment group.