Table 2.
Characteristics and pattern of use of tapentadol among patients in the prospective arm
| Variables | PA (n=70), n (%) |
|---|---|
| Probable reason for initiation of tapentadol | |
| Substitute for the usual opioid | 50 (71.4) |
| Pain management | 2 (2.9) |
| Augmenting the psychoactive effect of the usual opioid | 5 (7.1) |
| Started with tapentadol itself | 6 (8.6) |
| Prescribed/took for withdrawal management | 7 (10.0) |
| Substitution for opioid | |
| None | 8 (11.4) |
| Natural | 8 (11.4) |
| Heroin (chasing and intravenous) | 34 (48.6) |
| Tramadol | 13 (18.6) |
| Others | 7 (10) |
| Psychoactive effect of tapentadol | |
| Better than usual opioid | 4 (5.7) |
| Same to the usual opioid | 6 (8.6) |
| Inferior to the usual opioid | 51 (72.9) |
| Started with tapentadol only | 8 (11.4) |
| Different | 1 (1.4) |
| Was tapentadol prescribed by physician? | |
| No | 43 (61.4) |
| Yes | 27 (38.6) |
| Possible current source of tapentadol | |
| Friend | 20 (28.6) |
| Chemist | 37 (52.9) |
| Peddler | 11 (15.7) |
| Other | 2 (2.9) |
| Pattern of tapentadol use | |
| Misuse/abuse | 36 (51.4) |
| Dependence | 34 (48.6) |
PA – Prospective arm