New obstacles in the continuing opioid epidemic: tapentadol skin popping

Abstract

Subcutaneous or intradermal injection of illegal substances is known as skin 
popping. Some people like this method of using illegal drugs. Intravenous injections may 
potentially unintentionally burst the skin if the injector is not careful or if the veins are 
inaccessible because of thrombosis.[1] The opioid market in India is one of the biggest in the 
world. In the past ten years, there has been a noticeable rise in the worldwide trend of seized 
prescription opioids. The most common synthetic opioid confiscated between 2016 and 2020 
was tramadol. Following its nationalization, both production and confiscated amounts of 
tramadol in India decreased. Nevertheless, there is a lack of prevalence statistics on tramadol 
usage, and the trafficking of this drug persists. In certain locations, the more established opioid 
tramadol is being replaced with the more recent opioid tapentadol.[2] in Rare cutaneous nodules 
caused by tapentadol skin popping have been reported