1. About nefopam



Nefopam is available only on prescription. It comes as tablets.

2. Key facts

  • Don't give nefopam to children under 12 years old.
  • Nefopam is also called by the brand name Acupan.

3. Who can and can't take nefopam


Do not take nefopam for pain caused by a heart attack.


  • epilepsy, or have ever had a fit or convulsion
  • liver or kidney problems
  • a kind of glaucoma called angle closure glaucoma
  • difficulty peeing


4. How and when to take it





Will my dose go up or down?


How long will I take it for?





What if I forget to take it?



What if I take too much?

Taking too much nefopam can be dangerous.








5. Taking nefopam with other painkillers




6. Side effects

Common side effects


  • feeling sick (nausea)
  • feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • feeling nervous, confused or shaky
  • a dry mouth
  • difficulty peeing
  • seeing things that aren't there (hallucinations)
  • numbness or tingling in your hands and feet



Serious allergic reaction


Contact a doctor straight away if:

  • you're wheezing
  • you get tightness in the chest or throat
  • you have trouble breathing or talking





7. How to cope with side effects

What to do about:


8. Pregnancy and breastfeeding



Paracetamol is generally the first choice of painkiller for pregnant women.

Nefopam and breastfeeding


Tell your doctor if you're:

  • trying to get pregnant
  • pregnant
  • breastfeeding

9. Cautions with other medicines




Mixing nefopam with herbal remedies and supplements


Ask your pharmacist for advice.



10. Common questions

How does nefopam work?

Nefopam is a type of medicine called a non-opioid or non-narcotic painkiller.

It is not known for certain how nefopam works, but it seems to block pain messages sent to your brain or stops your brain from noticing the pain messages.

How long will it take to work?

Your pain should start to improve 1 or 2 hours after taking nefopam.

Is it safe to take for a long time?

There's not a lot of information on the effects of taking nefopam for a long time, so it's best to only take it for as long as you need to.

If you do take nefopam for a long time, your doctor might want to check that you still need it from time to time.

Can I become addicted to nefopam?

Some people have become addicted to nefopam after taking it for a long time. If this happens, you might have withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking nefopam.

If you've taken nefopam for a long time, speak to your doctor before you stop taking it as they may want you to reduce your dose gradually.

How will I know if I'm addicted to it?

If you're addicted to nefopam, you may want to take it more often or feel agitated if you delay taking a dose for any reason.

And if you stop taking it suddenly you may suffer from withdrawal symptoms.

Talk to your doctor if you're worried about becoming addicted to nefopam.

Are there other painkillers I can try?

The type of painkiller that's best for you depends on what type of pain you have, the cause of your pain, any other illness you have and any other medicines you take.

Also, people can respond to painkillers differently - for example, one painkiller may help with your pain but another may not.

If you are taking a painkiller, and feel that it is not helping your pain, speak to your doctor or pharmacist as there may be something else you could try.

Can I drink alcohol with it?

Drinking alcohol while you're on nefopam may make you feel more sleepy.

It's best to stop drinking alcohol during the first few days of treatment until you see how nefopam affects you.

If you feel sleepy with nefopam, stop drinking alcohol while you are taking it.

Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?

You can eat and drink normally while taking nefopam.

Will it affect my contraception?

Nefopam doesn't affect any type of contraception, including contraceptive pills or the morning after pill.

Can I drive or ride a bike?

Nefopam can make you feel sleepy or dizzy. If this happens to you, don't drive or ride a bike until you feel better.

Will recreational drugs affect it?

It is not known if taking recreational drugs affects nefopam. There may be more chance of unpleasant side effects, such as feeling sleepy or dizzy or a very fast heartbeat.

Nefopam may interfere with some drugs tests - for benzodiazepines (like diazepam) and opioids (like codeine). If you're taking nefopam, the test might show you have these drugs in your body even if you haven't taken them (called a false positive result). This could be important if you need to take a drug test at work, for example. Let the person doing the test know that you take nefopam.

Related conditions

Page last reviewed: 06/04/2018
Next review due: 06/04/2021