Treating chronic pain with Tramadol

Jennifer Johannas - April 1st, 2008

Tramadol is a synthetic opioid pain reliever, being one of most efficient analgesic medication. It is not part of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication class, even though it can be found in combination with acetaminophen (paracetamol) and it is not considered to be narcotic medication. Studies have shown that Tramadol borrows its effects from both classes of drugs presented above, while maintaining its own set of negative side effects or adverse reactions.

For anyone suffering from chronic pain, moderate or severe, Tramadol seems to be the best option today. No matter if you have been diagnosed with low back pain, osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia, you can take Tramadol and eliminate pain from your life. Unlike narcotics, Tramadol presents a lower potential of becoming addictive, representing without doubt a better alternative. It is also indicated because of the intense pain-relieving effects and the reduced side effects. Doctors have started to use this medicine to treat intense pain in cancer patients, those suffering from scoliosis or other spinal problems (including spondylitis) and chronic migraines. Other possible illnesses are being considered as we speak.

The side effects of Tramadol include a complex range of symptoms but all of them are relatively modest compared to those produced by other narcotics. The medicine is habit-forming indeed but not when it is taken as prescribed and within recommended doses. The mechanism of Tramadol has been the subject of many studies and the results have shown that this drug has a way of modifying the pain encoded messages, decreasing the impact they have on the body. It acts with the help of two important neurotransmitters, called noradrenalin and serotonin, both of which are known to block the intricate pathways of pain.

Scientists have long analyzed and compared the various effects Tramadol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) have. It has been found that Tramadol acts by influencing the pain’s impact on the body and using neurotransmitters while NSAID medication demands the help of other hormones that are equally important. Research has demonstrated that NSAID present an increased risk for serious side effects due to the fact that they stimulate the production of prostaglandins, substances that have a powerful impact on the mechanism of pain. Tramadol produces side-effects being of an opioid structure and thus, these adverse reactions are usually connected with the nervous system.

There are many precautions given for someone who takes Tramadol and perhaps the most important one is to follow them all. As this medication is usually administered for a long period of time, it is highly important that the treatment is not stopped suddenly and without any medical guidance. Tramadol has a potential for addiction and therefore it can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, some of which may even be lethal. It is also crucial to understand that when Tramadol is administered as a long-term treatment, for chronic pain, the body can develop tolerance to the substance and the dosage might need to be modified. Either way, one must be guided and constantly checked by a medical specialist for possible side effects, overdose, withdrawal or allergy symptoms.

You say the word overdose when the medication is taken in far larger quantities than it is normal. What is the limit for Tramadol? It depends of course on a wide variety of factors, including the condition for which you are treated, your age, medical history and resistance of the body. In general, it is considered that the maximum dose one should receive on a daily basis is of 600 mg (orally) and 400 mg (intravenous, intramuscular). Still, it is important to take into consideration the individual variations as what can harm a person might not have any effect on someone else.

Some of the side-effects manifested in patients treated with Tramadol are similar with those from overdose, but they are much more reduced. One may experience lightheadedness associated with orthostatic hypotension, helplessness and lack of coordination. These symptoms are usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting, plus severe headaches and somnolence. Patients have been reported to become nervous, uneasy and terribly agitated, being scared of the symptoms they were experiencing and not knowing exactly what caused them.

Medical assistance must be provided on an immediate basis, particularly if more severe symptoms appear. These are usually allergy symptoms and they may even lead to certain death. There are certain persons who do not tolerate the substances put in Tramadol, presenting to the emergency room with skin rashes, fast heart beats, seizures and even difficult breathing. This is why one must always consider the possibility of being allergic and take the medication with increased care.

Tramadol is not the kind of medication you take when you feel cold coming down and you have a sore throat. It is recommended only for serious conditions, in patients suffering from chronic pain or for those who have just been into surgery. The doses are precise and when taken as prescribed no problems appear. If you suffer from any condition that may necessitate a treatment with Tramadol, be sure to inform yourself first and then take any final decision. Talk it all through with a medical professional; you do not want to take something just because you read it works!