Is There Anything I Should Know About Tramadol?

Megan Mattison- May 22nd, 2008

Tramadol is an analgesic medication, usually prescribed for the treatment of chronic pain, moderate and severe. It is usually sold under the commercial name of Ultram, being presented in the form of hydrochloride salt. What is the most important thing you should know about Tramadol? Well, there are two actually. First, that it is a drug that interacts with the central nervous system and thus you are not recommended to drive or use machines while being treated. Second, that being an opioid it can cause dependence and you must always be careful when it comes to the actual dose you take.

How is Tramadol taken? This kind of medication is taken exactly as the doctor ordered, the recommendation being both for the dosage and the period for which the treatment is followed. The dose must never be increased or the treatment prolonged, at least not without the doctor’s consent. What if you miss a dose? Then be sure to take it shortly after you remember, of course. And another important fact, do no take two pills at once as you can hurt yourself without even realizing. Tramadol is a very powerful drug and the consequences of increased dosage are severe.

As for the storage instructions, you must keep it at room temperature or even a little bit lower if possible, in the container that it was given to you and always kept from children. Keeping in mind that Tramadol is indeed an opioid, one must be careful not to take it in the presence of those who have suffered from substance abuse or are facing withdrawal. The side-effects are also other important issues that must be discussed. Unfortunately, even most of the adverse reactions are known today, these cannot be foreseen for every patient. They might appear out of the blue or develop over time, changing their intensity. Any patient experiencing any side-effects must be urged to contact the doctor immediately. The doctor will decide if the treatment with Tramadol will be discontinued or not.

These are some of the side-effects that have been described by patients following a treatment with Tramadol. If you are currently under such treatment and any of these symptoms sound familiar, be sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible. Patients have complained of Tramadol making them agitated and anxious at the same time, being deeply disturbed by the gastrointestinal symptoms, manifested with constipation or diarrhea, flatulence, nausea and vomiting. Tramadol is known today to cause dizziness and drowsiness, xerostomia (dry mouth) and in more severe cases hallucinations. Other patients have described their experience with Tramadol to be accompanied by adverse reactions such as: cephalalgias (head aches), skin rash, excessive perspiration, nervousness and convulsive sensations. The complexity and diversity of symptoms has made doctors analyze Tramadol even more, trying to discover a relation between the medicine and the individual response.

Is there any situation when Tramadol is not recommended? This medication is not recommended to those who are allergic to any of the compounds included at it can cause intense reactions, some of them even leading to respiratory shock and cardiac arrest. Tramadol has also been contraindicated to those who are treated for insomnia, taking sleeping pills or in the case where there is history of narcotic abuse. Doctors strongly recommend that Tramadol is not to be considered a treatment option for those undergoing treatment for depression, anxiety or mental disorders. Also, just like with other similar medication, one must never associate Tramadol with alcohol, particularly when we are talking about excessive quantities.

Are there any special warnings for those wanting to take Tramadol? The doctor must be notified in case you suffer from a gastrointestinal disorder, including gastritis or stomach ulcer. Any of these medical conditions can be severe and Tramadol might modify the diagnosis, causing an important delay in the start of the proper treatment. As Tramadol can cause addiction, one must mention to the doctor if there is a history of substance abuse, especially with narcotic pain-relieving medicine. If that person is experiencing withdrawal symptoms, then the situation is even more serious. Tramadol can never be administered to such a patient and the withdrawal syndrome is known to appear in patients treated with this painkiller as well. They are commonly represented by insomnia, anxiety, nervousness and difficult breathing. In more severe cases, they can lead to syncope and coma, thus in order to prevent such situations, the doctor must adjust the dose of Tramadol prescribed.

Keep in mind that any excessive dosage of Tramadol can cause terrible effects and a special mention must be made about seizures. If you have suffered from such medical conditions in the past, being diagnosed with epilepsy or being currently under treatment for such an illness, then you should be extra careful when taking Tramadol. Without knowing, the association between this medication and Tramadol could increase the risk of you having seizures, but also their intensity and gravity. The dosage will have to be reduced immediately just as in the situation of you suffering from either kidney or liver impairment. As Tramadol has a known effect on the respiratory system, it is not recommended to those suffering from problems in this area. Also, the medication is certainly with a question mark for those who have suffered head trauma. Recent research has demonstrated that Tramadol has more intense effect in such situations and in some cases, the diagnosis was mistaken because certain symptoms were hidden by Tramadol.

There are so many things that could happen when you take such a medication, that it is for the best that you are as informed as possible. You can always use the Internet to find out more about this drug, new findings and potential drug interactions. Check out the dosage and be sure to read about overdoses. They are a fact!