What is Tramadol?
Tramadol is a powerful painkiller used for treating moderate to severe pain that isn't alleviated by other pain medications. Tramadol is an opioid synthetic that works within the spine and brain (central nervous system) to decrease your pain level.
The extended-release version of tramadol can be used for all-hours-of-the-day relief of pain. This type of tramadol is not to be used on a limited basis to treat pain.
Warnings
Seizures have been reported among those taking tramadol. The risk of having seizures is greater if you take more doses than recommended. The risk of having seizures is higher for those suffering from seizures or taking certain antidepressants or opioids.
Tramadol is not recommended if you are suicidal or prone to addiction.
Tramadol should not be taken when you are suffering from severe breathing issues or a blockage of your stomach or intestines or if you've consumed alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers, narcotic drugs, and/or one of the MAO inhibitor (isocarboxazid linezolid or linezolid) Methylene blue injection rasagiline and phenelzine or tranylcypromine).
Tramadol may slow or stop your breathing and could become a habit-forming drug. A MISUSE OF THIS MEDICAL could result in addiction, overdosing, or even death, particularly for a child or another medication user with no prescription. Keep this medicine in a place where other people cannot access it.
Tramadol is not recommended to children younger than twelve years of age, nor anyone less than 18 years old who has recently undergone surgery to remove tonsils and adenoids. Ultram is not recommended for anyone under 18 years old.
Tramadol during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms that could be life-threatening for the infant.
The risk of fatal side effects could be experienced if you take this medication in combination with alcohol or other substances, which cause drowsiness or cause breathing to slow down.
Before you Take this Drug
Tramadol should not be taken when you are allergic to the drug or are suffering from the following:
- Severe asthma or breathing issues;
- A stomach issue or bowel obstruction (including paralytic ileus);
- If you've recently taken alcohol or sedatives, tranquilizers, or narcotic drugs;
- If you've used an MAO inhibitor within the past fourteen days (such as isocarboxazid or linezolid, blue injections, phenelzine, or even tranylcypromine).
Tramadol is not recommended for a child who is less than 12. Ultram should not be administered to anyone who is younger than 18.
Avoid giving this medication to anyone under 18 years old who has recently undergone surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids.
Seizures occur in a few people who take tramadol. Your risk of experiencing seizures could be greater if you've been diagnosed with:
- A head injury to the head, epilepsy, or another seizure disorder;
- Addiction to alcohol or drugs or
- A metabolic disorder.
To ensure that tramadol is safe for you, ask your doctor if you've ever experienced:
- Breathing issues, sleep apnea;
- Kidney disease or liver failure;
- Urination issues;
- Problems with your gallbladder, thyroid, or pancreas;
- A stomach disorder; or
- Mental illness or suicide attempts.
If you are taking tramadol while pregnant, the baby may be born with withdrawal symptoms that could be life-threatening and could require medical attention for some time.
Talk to a doctor before taking tramadol if nursing. Tell your doctor if you experience extreme fatigue or slow breathing of the baby nursing.
How to Take Tramadol?
Follow the exact dosage of tramadol as recommended by your physician. Follow the instructions on your prescription label, and go through all the medication manuals. Don't take tramadol for more extended quantities or longer than prescribed. Inform your doctor if you have a strong urge to take more medication.
Do not share tramadol with a person, especially someone with a history of addiction. Misusing the drug can lead to addiction, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Place the medication away from the reach of others who might need it. The selling or distribution of this medication is against the law.
Stop taking any opioid medication as soon as you begin taking tramadol.
Tramadol is a medicine that can be consumed without or with food. However, it must be taken the same way every time.
Take the tablet or capsule whole to be safe from exposure to a fatal overdose. Don't crush, chew, break, split, open, or dissolve.
Take measurements of liquid medicine using the syringe that comes with it or a dosing device (not an ordinary spoon).
Never break or crush tablets of tramadol to breathe the powder, or mix it with a liquid that you can inject in your vein. This has led to deaths.
You could experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking tramadol abruptly. Talk to your doctor prior to stopping the medication.
Place in a cool, dry place far from heat and moisture. Be aware of the medication you are taking. It is important to be aware that someone is taking it incorrectly, as well as without the need for a prescription.
Don't store any tramadol left over. One dose could cause death if someone uses the drug incorrectly or incorrectly. Ask your pharmacist for a take-back program for disposal. If there's no taking-back service, combine the remaining medicine with coffee grounds or cat litter in a sealed plastic bag and place the bag into the garbage.
Detail on Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Pain:
Adults (17 years old or older) Ages 17 and over 50 to 100 mg taken orally every four to six hours, as required to relieve pain.
For patients who do not require immediate onset of analgesia, The initial dose is 25 mg once orally daily. Increase the dosage with increments of 25 mg every three days until reaching the dose of 25 mg four times daily. Then increase the dose by 50 mg if tolerated every three days.
Maximum dose: 400 mg per day.
Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Pain:
Extended-Release (ER):
Ages 18 and over (tramadol-naive) 100 mg once orally every day
Individually titrate by increments of 100 mg every 5 days until you have reached a dose that reduces the risk of adverse reactions
-Maximum Dose: 300 mg/day
For patients who are currently taking Immediate Release (IR) Tramadol
Initial Dose: Estimate your 24-hour IR requirement, and then begin the daily dose of ER that is rounded down to the lower 100 mg increment. Take it orally every day.
Conversion to other Opioids Does not stop taking any other round-the-clock opioid medications before starting therapy.
Initial dosage: 100 mg ER orally every day
Individually titrate in increments of 100 mg every five days until you reach a dose that limits adverse reactions
-Maximum Dose: 300 mg/day.
Usual Geriatric Dose for Pain:
The dosage selection process should be considered cautious, typically starting at the lower part of the dosage range.
More than 75 years old:
Maximum dose of immediate-release 300 mg daily.
Usual Geriatric Dose for Chronic Pain:
The dosage selection process should be considered cautious, generally beginning at the low part of the range of doses.
For more than 75 Years:
Maximum dose of immediate-release 300 mg daily.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Pain:
Tramadol is not advised for use in pediatric patients.
Age 17 or over Age: See Adult Dose.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Because tramadol can be used for pain, you're not likely to be able to miss the dose. Avoid any missed doses when it's time to take your next dose. Don't take two doses in one go.
What Happes If I Overdose?
Get medical attention immediately or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose could be fatal, particularly for a child or another person who takes the medicine with no prescription. Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, a sharpening of pupils, slow breathing, or the inability to breathe.
The doctor might suggest that you purchase Naloxone (a medication to treat an overdose of opioids) and carry it on hand throughout the day. The person who is caring for you may give Naloxone in the event that you lose your breath or don't wake up. Your caregiver needs to get medical attention in the event of an emergency. They might need to administer CPR (cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) on you as they wait for assistance to arrive.
Naloxone can be purchased from the local pharmacy or health department. Be sure that anyone who cares for you understands the location where you store your naloxone and how to utilize it.
Avoid this
Avoid drinking or consuming alcohol. Dangerous side effects or even death could happen.
Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you understand how tramadol affects you. Dizziness or drowsiness may result in accidents, falls, or serious injuries.
Side Effects of Tramadol:
See a doctor immediately when you notice symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction due to tramadol (hives and breathing difficulties and swelling of your throat or face) or a severe reaction to your skin (fever and throat soreness, burning eyes and skin irritation, as well as skin, is red or purple which spreads and leads to blisters as well as peeling).
Tramadol can reduce or stop your breathing and cause death. Anyone who cares for you should administer Naloxone and/or seek medical attention if you experience prolonged breathing, pauses in your breathing, or blue-colored lips or if you find it challenging to get up.
Tramadol may cause serious side effects. Consult your physician immediately in the event of:
- Loud breathing, sighing breath that is shallow, and sleeping that ceases;
- A low heart rate or a weak pulse
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you're about to pass out.
- Seizure (convulsions)
- Low levels of cortisol, low cortisol levels -vomiting, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, fatigue, dizziness, or weakness.
You should seek medical attention now if you are experiencing symptoms of serotonin syndrome, for example, agitation, hallucinations, fever sweating, shivering, rapid heart rate, stiffness of muscles, or twitching. Also, you may experience loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting as well as vomiting, or diarrhea.
Breathing problems that are serious could be more prevalent in older people or those with a debilitating condition or suffer from excessive wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders.
Common side effects of tramadol can include:
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Tiredness
- Headache
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with Other Drugs
You might experience breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you discontinue or start taking other medicines. Inform your doctor if you are also taking medication such as an antibiotic medication, antifungal medicine, blood pressure or heart-related medicine, medication for seizures, or medication for treating HIV as well as Hepatitis C.
A variety of other medications can be harmful when combined together with tramadol. Tell your doctor when you are using:
- Medicine to treat allergy asthma, allergies, blood pressure, motion sickness, and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as an overactive bladder;
- Other opioid medications;
- A benzodiazepine sedative such as the Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax;
- Sleep medication and muscle relaxers, and other drugs that can make you sleepy.
- Serotonin-related drug medications that affect serotonin, like antidepressants, stimulants, antidepressants, or medication to treat migraines and Parkinson's disease.
This list isn't complete. Other medications may be incompatible with tramadol, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. The interactions of all drugs are included here.
Other drugs may be harmful when combined in conjunction with tramadol. Tell your doctor when you are using:
- Medicines for asthma, allergies, tension, blood pressure excessively active or irritable bladder;
- Other opioid medications;
- A benzodiazepine-based sedative, such as Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax;
- Sleep aids and muscle relaxers, as well as other medications that make you tired;
- Serotonin-related drug medications that affect serotonin, like antidepressants, stimulants, antidepressants, or treatments for migraines or Parkinson's disease.
- Medications that alter serotonin levels within your body as a stimulant or medication are used to treat depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, vomiting, and nausea
