Tramadol is a powerful pain reliever that comes in tablet form. It is a controlled substance, and abuse can lead to addiction or severe health issues. It is recommended that you only take it as prescribed by your doctor.
Naloxone, also known as Zimhi or Narcan (Narcan), may be prescribed by your doctor to treat opioid overdose.
What is tramadol used for?
Tramadol, a narcotic analgesic that reduces moderate to severe discomfort. This drug can cause serious health complications, so it should only be taken for short-term relief and under a doctor’s supervision. The dosage is based on the severity of the pain and medical history. Tramadol comes in a variety of forms including extended-release and immediate-release tablet. It can also be found as an oral solution or in a capsule. This extended-release formulation is designed to relieve pain for a longer period of time. The medication can be taken with or without eating, but should always be taken the same way every day.
Tramadol can slow or stop your breathing, which can be life-threatening. This risk is higher within 3 days of starting or increasing the dose. It can also be a problem for children who accidentally take it orally, even once. It is important to keep this medication out of reach of children.
This medication isn’t safe to take while pregnant, because it can pass through the placenta and hurt the baby. Long-term use can also cause the baby to become dependent on it, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms after birth. If you are pregnant or plan to be, tell your doctor right away.
You should also let your doctor or pharmacist know about any medical problems you may have, including diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, seizures, an eating disorder, or mental illnesses such as depression. Avoid alcohol, as well as other medications that are prescribed or not, such herbal supplements containing St. John’s Wort. This combination can increase your risk of a rare but serious side effect called serotonin syndrome, which can cause agitation, fast heartbeat, high fever, sweating, confusion, or seizures.
You should also not drive until you have fully assessed how this medication affects you. It can also cause constipation, so drink plenty of water and eat fiber-rich foods. If you experience constipation, talk to your doctor about over-the-counter medications that can help. Also, you should not breastfeed while taking this medication because it can pass through your milk and harm the infant.
Dosage
Tramadol is a synthetic (man-made) pain reliever. Tramadol works by binding with receptors within the brain, which alters how you feel pain. This is not a nonsteroidal-anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs increase the risk of stomach ulcers and internal bleeding. Your doctor may prescribe tramadol to treat moderate to severe pain.
Before starting this medication, your doctor will need to know if you have any serious kidney or liver disease, heart problems, stomach or intestinal problems, or if you take other drugs. Your doctor might need to change your dosage or frequency of taking this drug if you suffer from these conditions.
If you have a history of alcohol or drug addiction, your doctor will also need to know this. Your doctor will assess your risk of misuse or addiction and will only give you this medication if it is appropriate for you. While taking this medication, you will be required to undergo regular blood tests in order to monitor your liver’s function. The tests will take place at the same moment as regular medical exams.
This drug is not suitable for children as it may cause severe health problems. This drug is not recommended for women who are breastfeeding. It can pass into breast milk and have serious effects on a baby, including slowed or stopped breathing.
Certain medications can cause interactions with this drug, such as antidepressants or liver and stomach medicines. It can also make some types of seizures worse. If you have seizures, tell your doctor before you start this medicine. Tramadol may cause symptoms to worsen or doctors to be unable to diagnose the source of your head injury if you suffer from a brain injury. Some people may feel very dizzy after taking this medication. Do not operate any machinery or drive if you are experiencing this side effect. You should avoid taking this drug with alcohol or other narcotics.
Side effects
Tramadol side effects can include nausea, drowsiness and constipation. Some people may also experience sweating, shivering, or loss of appetite. As your body becomes accustomed to the medicine, these side effects will usually subside within one or two weeks. If they persist, speak to your doctor.
As with all opioids tramadol may cause side effects, such as slow breathing. This is especially true if it’s taken in large amounts or combined with drugs that suppress the central nervous systems. This is more likely in older adults and those with underlying lung problems. This drug should be avoided if you suffer from certain conditions such as head injuries, stomach ulcers, or liver diseases.
It can worsen stomach issues such as vomiting or ulcers. This drug can reduce the amount of saliva that you make, making it difficult to swallow. It can also reduce the amount of fluids you drink, which can lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water and eat food with high fiber content, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables and yogurt.
You should not use this drug if you have liver or kidney disease, asthma, low blood pressure or a history of seizures. It can increase the risk of seizures in children. It is also unsafe to use this medicine during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Long-term use can affect your unborn baby and cause withdrawal symptoms in newborns. Inform your doctor that you plan to get pregnant or are currently pregnant.
Tramadol can interact with other medications, vitamins and herbal products. This can affect how much of the medication is absorbed by your body or how it works. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and nutritional supplements.
St. John’s wort may interact with tramadol, increasing your risk of serotonin syndrome. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include feeling agitated or restless, fast heart rate, high fever, sweating and shivering, muscle stiffness, confusion, hallucinations, and trouble sleeping. Talk to your doctor before taking St. John’s wort with this medication.
If you have been taking this drug, do not operate heavy machinery or drive. This is because tramadol can make you sleepy or drowsy. You should not drink alcohol while taking this drug. If you have a problem with constipation, try drinking lots of water and eating more fiber-rich foods, such as whole grain breads, bran cereals, beans and peas. If the problem continues, speak to your doctor about over-the-counter constipation medications, such as senna (Senokot).
Overdose
A risk of overdose with tramadol is increased in people with underlying health problems. Tramadol can have adverse effects on people with kidney, liver, or gastrointestinal problems. People with certain mental health conditions are also at a higher risk for addiction and overdose. These include depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenic disorders.
Tramadol can cause a drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness and fainting. It is more common if the patient stands up suddenly from a seated or lying position or takes other medications that affect blood pressure. You can ask your doctor for ways to reduce the risk.
If you take too much tramadol, it can cause a life-threatening breathing problem called respiratory depression. Most likely, this will happen if you are taking more than the prescribed dose of tramadol or if it is taken too often. It can also be dangerous if you take it with other drugs that slow your breathing, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol. Overdoses can lead to a coma or death.
Tramadol, like other opioids can lead to addiction. It binds to the opioid receptors in your brain and body, and over time can create physical dependence and an addiction. It is not unusual, but can cause serious problems. You should never stop taking tramadol without talking to your doctor first. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help you break the addiction if you are addicted.
Tramadol can make your child dependent on it if you use the drug for a long time during pregnancy. This can lead to withdrawal symptoms once you stop the medication, such as high-pitched crying, poor feeding and sucking behavior, trembling, and seizures. This condition is known as neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Keep this medication out of reach of children. It is not safe for them to swallow or chew. Call 911 immediately if someone swallows the drug accidentally. Store it safely to avoid theft and misuse.