Description
How does Tramadol work
- Tramadol is a man-made, pain-relieving medicine that may be used for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pain.
- Although experts aren’t exactly sure how tramadol works, studies have suggested that tramadol and its active metabolite bind to mu-opioid receptors in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). It also appears to weakly inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing levels of these two neurotransmitters in the nerve synapse.
- Tramadol belongs to the group of medicines known as narcotic analgesics.
Upsides
- Tramadol may be used for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pain such as that caused by cancer, osteoarthritis, and other musculoskeletal diseases. Tramadol is often prescribed after surgery.
- Tramadol may also be effective for nerve-related pain.
- Tramadol may be less likely than other narcotic analgesics to cause respiratory depression.
- Generic tramadol is available.
Downsides
If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:
- A headache, nausea, dizziness, constipation, vomiting, joint pains, dry mouth, sweating, and an itchy skin are commonly reported side effects.
- Sedation, which may affect a person’s ability to drive or operate machinery, or perform hazardous tasks is also commonly reported. Alcohol may enhance this effect.
- May cause dependence, addiction, and slowed breathing. Tramadol may be misused and sought after by drug abusers. Tolerance may develop to its effect.
- Seizures have been reported with tramadol use. The risk is increased in people taking certain types of antidepressants (such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAO inhibitors), other opioids, antipsychotics, other drugs that reduce the seizure threshold, with a pre-existing seizure disorder, head trauma, excessive alcohol use, or with a metabolic disorder predisposing to an increased risk of seizures.
- Do not take tramadol if you are also using alcohol, drugs with sedative properties, or other narcotic medications; dangerous or fatal side effects, such as slowed breathing, can occur.
- Seniors over the age of 65 years may be more sensitive to the side effects of tramadol. Tramadol should be initiated cautiously, and extended-release tramadol is best avoided.
- May not be suitable for some people including those with a history of depression or prone to addiction. Tramadol may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
- Tramadol may not be appropriate for people at risk for respiratory depression, with head trauma, increased intracranial pressure, or with an acute abdominal disease.
- The dosage of tramadol may require adjusting to liver or kidney disease.
- Withdrawal symptoms (such as anxiety, sweating, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, pain, piloerection [bristling of hairs]) have been reported when tramadol has been abruptly stopped the following dosing for extended periods of time. The dosage of tramadol should always be tapered off slowly on discontinuation.
- Tramadol may interact with a number of other drugs including antidepressants, antipsychotics, St John’s Wort, bupropion, triptans, or other drugs that are metabolized by CYP 2D6 or CYP3A4 hepatic enzymes.
- The metabolism of tramadol may be slowed by people who are poor metabolizers at CYP 2D6. While concentrations of tramadol may be higher in these people, concentrations of the active metabolite of tramadol may be lower, resulting in insufficient pain relief.
- Interaction or overdosage may cause serotonin syndrome (symptoms include mental status changes [such as agitation, hallucinations, coma, delirium]), fast heart rate, dizziness, flushing, muscle tremor or rigidity and stomach symptoms (including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea).
- Rarely, anaphylaxis (a potentially fatal allergic reaction) has occurred with tramadol use, usually following the initial dose. Itchy skin, a rash, difficulty breathing, and other allergy-type symptoms may be more common. Do not use in people with a history of an allergic reaction to codeine or another opioid.
- Tramadol is not FDA-approved for use in children under the age of 12 (immediate-release capsules) or 18 (extended-release capsules).
Tips
- Tramadol may be taken with or without food.
- The long-acting formulation must be swallowed whole; do not crush or chew as you may receive a dangerous or fatal dose. Extended-release tramadol capsules are intended to be taken only once a day. Do not increase the dosage of tramadol unless your doctor has advised you to do so.
- May make you sleepy and affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Refrain from driving or potentially hazardous tasks until you are sure tramadol is not having this effect.
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol may enhance the side effects of tramadol and increase the risk of seizures.
- It can cause nausea. Taking an antiemetic (anti-sickness medicine) with tramadol can counteract this effect. Starting treatment with low doses or taking with food may also help to lessen nausea.
- If you have been taking tramadol for long periods of time, do not stop it suddenly. Your doctor will advise you on the best way to taper down the dosage over several weeks.
- Tell a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to tramadol, excessive sweating, feel agitated or confused, develop a fever or diarrhea, find it difficult to control your limbs, or notice spasmodic jerky contractions of your muscles.
- Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Keep your medicine in a safe, private storage area, out of view of any person that may illegally misuse it.
- Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless specifically recommended by your doctor.
Response and Effectiveness
- Peak levels of immediate-release are reached approximately two hours after oral administration. Peak levels of extended-release tramadol capsules occur within 10 to 12 hours. There is a lot of variability in the way people respond to it – some people may require higher or lower dosages than others for the same level of pain relief.
- Starting at the lowest possible dose and increasing the dose slowly may lessen side effects like nausea, dizziness, and headache.
- When stopping treatment with tramadol, it’s best to slowly discontinue the medicine to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will give you a schedule.
Tips
- it may be taken with or without food.
- The long-acting formulation must be swallowed whole; do not crush or chew as you may receive a dangerous or fatal dose. Extended-release tramadol capsules are intended to be taken only once a day. Do not increase the dosage of tramadol unless your doctor has advised you to do so.
- May make you sleepy and affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Refrain from driving or potentially hazardous tasks until you are sure tramadol is not having this effect.
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol may enhance the side effects of tramadol and increase the risk of seizures.
- It can cause nausea. Taking an antiemetic (anti-sickness medicine) with tramadol can counteract this effect. Starting treatment with low doses or taking with food may also help to lessen nausea.
- If you have been taking tramadol for long periods of time, do not stop it suddenly. Your doctor will advise you on the best way to taper down the dosage over several weeks.
- Tell a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to tramadol, excessive sweating, feel agitated or confused, develop a fever or diarrhea, find it difficult to control your limbs, or notice spasmodic jerky contractions of your muscles.
- Keep out of the reach of children and pets. Keep your medicine in a safe, private storage area, out of view of any person that may illegally misuse it.
- Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless specifically recommended by your doctor.
Response and Effectiveness
- Peak levels of immediate-release tramadol are reached approximately two hours after oral administration. Peak levels of extended-release, its capsules occur within 10 to 12 hours. There is a lot of variability in the way people respond to it – some people may require higher or lower dosages than others for the same level of pain relief.
- Starting at the lowest possible dose and increasing the dose slowly may lessen side effects like nausea, dizziness, and headache.
- When stopping treatment with the product, it’s best to slowly discontinue the medicine to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will give you a schedule.
How should I take tramadol?
Take tramadol exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Tramadol can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
it may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE OF PAIN MEDICATION CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Stop taking all other around-the-clock narcotic pain medications when you start taking tramadol.
Tramadol can be taken with or without food, but take it the same way each time.
Do not crush, break, or open an extended-release tablet or capsule (ConZip, Ultram ER). Swallow it whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal dose.
Never crush or break a tablet inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death.
If you use the drug extended-release tablet, the tablet shell may pass into your stools (bowel movements). This is normal and does not mean that you are not receiving enough of the medicine.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of your medicine. it is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, mix the leftover medicine with cat litter or coffee grounds in a sealed plastic bag and throw the bag in the trash.
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