order amending schedule i to the controlled drugs and substances act tapentadol regulations amending the narcotic control regulations tapentadol 1 page english and french alignleft the purpose of this initiative is to add the substance tapentadol to schedule i to the emcontrolled drugs and substances act em cdsa and to the schedule to the emnarcotic control regulations em ncr . alignleft tapentadol is a synthetic opioid used for pain relief that has been marketed under the brand name nucynta since 2011 in immediate and controlled extended-release ir and cr er formulations that due to its opioid properties may pose health and safety risks. while opioids like tapentadol are generally safe and effective they can lead to physical and or psychological dependence abuse and or addiction. alignleft studies have shown that tapentadol has abuse liability potential comparable to hydromorphone and is five times more potent for pain relief than intravenously-injected morphine. both hydromorphone and morphine are already listed in schedule i to the cdsa and the schedule to the ncr due to their diversion and abuse potential. alignleft in february 2011 a emnotice to interested parties em proposed to add tapentadol its salts and its related analogues under schedule i of the cdsa and to the ncr. the proposed wording for the addition to the schedules has been modified since the noi was published. as such the proposed amendment would add tapentadol 3- 1r 2r -3- dimethylamino -1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl-phenol its salts derivatives and isomers and salts of derivatives and isomers to schedule i to the cdsa and the schedule to the ncr. alignleft scheduling tapentadol under the cdsa and the ncr will mitigate the risk of the potential diversion of tapentadol to an illicit market or use while allowing access for legitimate medical purposes. this proposed amendment is supported by the sole manufacturer and importer of tapentadol in canada and is consistent with the government of canadas continued commitment to address prescription drug abuse.