Tramadol

 

Generic name: tramadol (TRAM a dol)
The brand name is ConZip, Qdolo, Ultram, Ultram ER
Drug Class: Narcotic analgesics

 

 

How does tramadol work?

Tramadol is a painkiller like an opioid, which is also classified as an opioid that is synthetic. It is a Central Nervous System (CNS) to ease the pain.

Tramadol is used to treat moderate or extreme pain in adults.

The extended-release version of tramadol is designed for the continuous care of pain. This kind of tramadol should not be meant to be used on a limited basis to treat pain.¶

Warnings

Seizures have been reported among patients who take tramadol. The risk of having seizures is greater if you are taking more than the recommended dose. The risk of having seizures is higher for those suffering from seizures or who are taking certain antidepressants or opioids.

Tramadol should not be taken in the event that you are suicidal or susceptible to addiction.

Tramadol should not be taken when you are suffering from respiratory problems that are severe or a blockage of your stomach or intestines or if you’ve consumed alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers, narcotic medications as well as an MAO inhibitor (isocarboxazid linezolid or linezolid) Methylene blue injection selegiline, rasagiline or tranylcypromine).

Tramadol can reduce or stop breathing and can cause a change in your lifestyle. The misuse of this medication can lead to addiction, overdose, or even death, particularly for children and anyone else taking the medication without prescribing physician. Keep this medicine in a place where other people cannot access it.

Tramadol is not recommended to any child under twelve years of age, nor to anyone older than 18 who had surgery recently to remove tonsils and adenoids. Ultram is not recommended to anyone under 18 years old.

Tramadol taken during pregnancy could result in life-threatening withdrawal symptoms for the infant.

The risk of fatal side effects could occur when you mix the medicine in conjunction with alcohol or with other medications that can cause drowsiness or slow breathing.

Before you start taking this medicine, make sure to consult your doctor.

Tramadol should not be taken when you are allergic to the drug, or are suffering from:

• respiratory problems or severe asthma;
• obstruction in the bowel or stomach (including the paralytic ileus);
• If you’ve recently taken alcohol or sedatives, tranquilizers or narcotics;
• If you’ve taken an MAO inhibitor within the last 15 weeks (such as isocarboxazid linezolid, isocarboxazid blue injections, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine).

Tramadol is not recommended to a child who is less than 12. Ultram should not be administered to anyone who is younger than 18 .

Don’t give the medication to anyone under 18 years old who has recently undergone surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids.

Seizures are common in people who take tramadol. The risk of having seizures is higher if have been diagnosed with:

• epilepsy, head injury, or any other seizure disorder
• addiction to alcohol or drugs and
• A metabolic disorder.

To ensure that tramadol is safe for you, ask your doctor if you’ve previously had:

• breathing issues sleep apnea, breathing problems
• kidney or liver disease;
• Problems with urination;
• problems with your gallbladder thyroid, or pancreas;
• a stomach disorder; or
• mental illness or suicide attempts.

If you are taking tramadol while pregnant your baby may be born with potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms and could require medical attention for several weeks.

Talk to your doctor prior to taking tramadol when you are nursing. Tell your doctor in case you notice a sudden increase in fatigue or a slow breathing rate during breastfeeding babies.

How do I take tramadol?

Tramadol is taken exactly as directed by your physician. Follow the instructions on your prescription label and go through all the medication instructions. Don’t take tramadol for longer quantities, or for a longer period than prescribed. Inform your doctor if have a strong urge to take more medication.

Do not share tramadol with a person, particularly one with an addiction history. The misuse of the drug can lead to addiction, overdose, or death. Place the medication away from the reach of others who might need it. Giving away or selling this medication is against the law.

Stop taking any opioid medication as soon as you begin taking tramadol.

Tramadol may be used without or with food, but it is best taken in the same manner each time.

Suck the tablet or capsule entire to be safe from exposure to a fatal overdose. Avoid crushing, chewing breaking, split, opening, or dissolving.

Use the syringe supplied or a dosing device (not an ordinary spoon).

Do not crush or break tablets of tramadol in order to breathe the powder, or mix it with liquid and inject it into the vein of yours. This has led to deaths.

There are withdrawal symptoms that you may experience when you stop taking tramadol abruptly. Consult your physician before stopping the medication.

Keep at room temperature, free of heat and moisture. Make a note of your medication. It is important to be aware of you are using the medicine improperly or without the prescription.

Don’t keep any leftover tramadol. A single dose can cause death if someone is using it in error or unintentionally. Ask your pharmacist for a take-back program for disposal. If there isn’t a Take-back facility, you can mix the remaining medication with coffee grounds or cat litter and put it in a sealed bag. Throw the bag into the garbage.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Pain:

Adults (17 or over) Adults: 50-100 mg taken orally in every four to six hours, as required to relieve pain.
Patients who do not require rapid onset of analgesic action The initial dose is 25 mg orally, once a day. Increase the dosage by 25 mg increments every three days until reaching the dose of 25 mg four times per day. Afterward, increase to 50 mg as tolerated every 3 days.
Maximum dose: 400 mg per day.

Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Pain:

Extended-Release (ER):
Ages 18 and over (tramadol-naive) 100 mg taken orally, once a day
Individually titrate by increments of 100 mg every 5 days until you reach a dose that limits adverse reactions
-Maximum Dose: 300 mg/day

Patients who are being treated with Immediate-Release (IR) Tramadol
Initial Dose: Calculate the 24-hour IR requirement and begin with daily doses of ER reduced to the most minimal 100 mg increment, daily, taken orally.

Conversion to other Opioids Does not stop taking any other opioids that are available 24/7 medications prior to starting therapy.
Initial dose: 100 mg orally every day
Individually titrate the dose in increments of 100 mg every 5 days until you reach a dose that limits adverse reactions
-Maximum Dose: 300 mg/day.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Pain:

The dose selection should be taken with caution generally beginning at the low portion in the range of doses

For more than 75 Years:
Maximum dose of immediate release 300 mg per day.

Usual Geriatric Dose for Chronic Pain:

The dosage selection process should be considered cautious typically starting at the lower portion within the dosage range

More than 75 years old:
Maximum dose of immediate release 300 mg daily.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Pain:

Tramadol is not suggested for use in children patients.

If you are 17 years old or older 17 years or older: Refer to Adult Dose.

If I do not take an dose?

Because tramadol is a medication used to treat pain, you’re not likely to skip the dose. Do not miss any doses when it’s the time to take your next dose. Do not take two doses in one go.

If I take too much?

Get medical attention immediately or contact to the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Poisoning can cause death, particularly in the case of a child or another person who is taking the medication without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, a sharpening of pupils, a slow breathing rate, or even no breathing.

The doctor might suggest getting Naloxone (a medication to treat an overdose of opioids) and carrying it in your bag always. Someone who cares for you may give medication if you are unable to breathe or you don’t wake up. The caregiver should still seek emergency medical assistance and could be required to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) on you as they wait for help to arrive.

Naloxone can be purchased from the local pharmacy or health department. Be sure that anyone who cares for you is aware of where you store naloxone, and how to utilize it.

What should I be aware of when taking tramadol?

Don’t drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or even death could happen.

Avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you understand the effects of tramadol on you. Drowsiness or dizziness can lead to accidents, falls, or serious injuries.

Tramadol side effects

Contact a medical professional immediately If you show symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction due to tramadol (hives or breathing problems and swelling of your throat or face) or a severe skin reaction (fever or sore throat, burning sensations in your eyes, skin irritation or red or purple itching that can cause peeling and blistering).

Tramadol can reduce or stop your breathing and cause death. The person who is caring for you must administer the drug naloxone and seek emergency medical care if you suffer from prolonged breathing, pauses in your breathing or blue lips, or if it is difficult to get up.

Consult your physician immediately If you suffer from:

• Sighing, noisy breathing, deep breathing, sleeping that ceases;
• a slow heart rate , or a an irregular pulse
• a euphoric feeling, similar to you’re passing out;
• seizure (convulsions); or
• low levels of cortisol nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, dizziness increasing tiredness or weakness.

You should seek medical attention now if you are experiencing signs of serotonin-related syndromes, like hallucinations, agitation, sweating, and shivering. You may also experience a rapid heart rate stiffness of muscles and twitching, nausea vomiting, or diarrhea.

Breathing problems that are serious could be more prevalent in older people and those who suffer from debilitation or suffer from wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders.

Common side effects of tramadol include:

• constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, chest pain;
• dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;
• headaches migraine
• itching.

This isn’t an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and other side effects could be present. Contact your doctor for advice regarding medical the effects. You may report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs can alter tramadol’s effects?

It is possible to experience breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms when you discontinue or change the dosage of various other medications. Talk to your doctor if are also taking an antifungal or antibiotic as well as blood pressure or heart medicine, medication for seizures or medicine for treating HIV or Hepatitis C.

A variety of other medications can be dangerous when taken together with tramadol. Tell your doctor when you are using:

• Medicine for asthma, allergies motion sickness, blood pressure Irritatable bowel, an overactive bladder.
• other opioid drugs;
• a benzodiazepine sedative such as Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax;
• sleep medication such as muscle relaxers, sleep medicine, and other drugs that can make you sleepy or
• Serotonin-related drugs like antidepressants, stimulants, or medicines for Parkinson’s disease or migraines.

This list isn’t complete. Other medications can interfere with tramadol. These include medications that are prescribed and available over the counter as well as vitamins and herbal supplements. There aren’t all interactions included here.

Other drugs may be harmful when combined together with tramadol. Tell your doctor when you are using:

• Medicine for asthma, allergies motion sickness, blood pressure, and irritable bowel syndrome, as well as an overactive bladder.
• Other opioid medications;
• A benzodiazepine-based sedative such as Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax;
• sleep aids such as muscle relaxers or other medications that cause you to be tired;
• medications that alter serotonin levels like antidepressants, stimulants, or medications for Parkinson’s disease and migraines.
• drugs that alter serotonin levels within your body A stimulant or medication for Parkinson’s disease, depression, chronic infections, migraine headaches as well as nausea and vomiting.