Tramadol

Tramadol, a powerful pain relief, treats moderate-to-severe pain that other pain relief medications cannot treat. Tramadol, a synthetic opioid, reduces pain by acting on the spine and brain (central nervous systems).

Tramadol in the extended-release form is used for pain relief around the clock. This tramadol form is not to be used as needed for pain.

Warnings

Patients taking tramadol have reported seizures. You are at greater risk of having seizures if you take higher doses. Seizure risks are also higher for those who have a seizure condition or take certain antidepressants and opioid medications.

Tramadol shouldn’t be taken if you have suicidal thoughts or are prone to drug addiction.

Tramadol should not be taken for severe breathing problems or obstructions in the stomach or intestines. It is also not recommended if you’ve recently used alcohol, tranquillizers, narcotic medications, or MAO inhibitors (such as linezolid or methylene-blue injection).

Tramadol may cause you to stop breathing or slow down. It can also become habit-forming. Misuse of this medication can cause addiction, overdose, or death, especially if it is taken by a child or someone who does not have a prescription.

Tramadol shouldn’t be given to anyone younger than 12 or anyone recently undergoing surgery to remove tonsils or adenoids. Ultram shouldn’t be given to anyone under 18 years of age.

Tramadol withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening for the newborn if taken during pregnancy.

You can experience fatal side effects if you combine this medication with alcohol or other drugs that make you drowsy or slow your breathing.

Take this medication only if you have been prescribed it.

Tramadol should not be taken if:

• Severe asthma or breathing problems
• A stomach or obstruction in the Bowel (including paralytic ileus);
• If you’ve recently taken alcohol, sedatives or tranquillizers; or
• If you’ve used an MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days (such as isocarboxazid injection, linezolid injection, phenelzine or tranylcypromine).

• Tramadol shouldn’t be given to children younger than 12 years. Ultram shouldn’t be given to anyone under 18 years of age.
• This medicine should not be given to anyone under 18 who has recently had tonsils or adenoids removed.
• Some people who take tramadol have experienced seizures. You may be at higher risk of seizures if:
• A head trauma, Epilepsy, or any other seizure disorder.

Drug or alcohol abuse;

A metabolic disorder.

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that tramadol will be safe for you:

• Sleep apnea is a breathing problem.
• Liver or kidney disease
• Urination problems
• You may have problems with your thyroid, gallbladder or pancreas.
• a stomach disorder; or
• Mental illness or suicide attempt

If you take tramadol while pregnant, your baby may suffer from life-threatening withdrawal syndrome. You will need to seek medical attention for several weeks.

If you are nursing, ask your doctor about tramadol before taking it. Inform your doctor if the baby is tired or has a slow breathing rate.

What is the best way to take tramadol for me?

Tramadol should be taken exactly as prescribed by your physician. Read all instructions on the prescription label. Tramadol should never be taken in higher doses or for a longer period than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel the urge to take more tramadol.

Tramadol should never be shared with anyone, especially with someone with a history of addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Store the medicine in a place where no one else can get it. This medicine cannot be sold or given away.

Tramadol is an opioid medication.

Tramadol is taken either with or without food. However, it must be taken the same way every time.

Do not crush, chew, break, open or dissolve the capsules. Do not chew, crush, break, open or dissolve.

Use the syringe provided or a dosing device to measure liquid medicines (not a spoon).

Do not crush or break tramadol tablets to inhale the powder or mix them into liquids to inject the drug directly into your vein. This practice has led to death.

If you suddenly stop taking tramadol, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Before stopping your medicine, consult with your doctor.

Store away from moisture or heat at room temperature. Track your medication. Be aware of anyone misusing or using your medicine without a valid prescription.

Tramadol leftovers should not be kept. One dose of tramadol can be fatal if used incorrectly or accidentally. It would help if you asked your pharmacist about a drug disposal program. If no take-back program is available, place the remaining medicine in a plastic bag with coffee grounds or cat litter.

Dosing information

Adult dose for pain:

Adults (17 years and older): 50-100 mg orally, every 4 to 6 hours as needed.

Adult dose for chronic pain:

Extended-Release (ER):

Eighteen years and older (tramadol naive): 100 mg once daily.

To minimize adverse reactions, titrate the dose in 100mg increments every five days.

• -Maximum Dose: 300 mg/day

Patients currently receiving immediate-release (IR) tramadol:

Initial Dose: Calculate the 24-hour IR requirements and begin with a daily ER total dose rounded to 100 mg increment. Orally, once a day.

Before starting therapy, discontinue all other opioids taken around the clock.

• -Initial dosage: 100 mg orally, once daily

To minimize adverse reactions, titrate the dose in 100mg increments every five days.

• -Maximum Dose: 300 mg/day.

The usual geriatric dose for pain:

The dose selection should start at the lower end of the range.

Over 75 years old:

Maximum dosage of Immediate Release: 300 mg daily

The usual dose for chronic pain in older adults:

The dose selection should start at the lower end of the range.

Over 75 years old:

Maximum dosage of Immediate Release: 300 mg daily

Common Pediatric Dose of Pain:

Tramadol should not be used in children.

What happens if you miss a dose of the medication?

Tramadol is a pain relief so that you won’t miss a dosage. If it’s almost time to take your next dose, skip any missed dose. Never take two doses in one go.

What happens if you overdose?

Your doctor may advise you to carry Naloxone with you all the time. This medicine is used to reverse opioid overdoses. If you stop breathing or do not wake up, someone caring for you may administer Naloxone. You must still call for emergency medical assistance; your caregiver may have to perform CPR on you as they wait.

Naloxone can be purchased at any local pharmacy or health department. Be sure anyone who cares for you knows where and how you store Naloxone.

What should I avoid when taking tramadol?

Don’t drink alcohol. Side effects and death can occur.

Tramadol can cause dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you know how they will affect you. Drowsiness or dizziness can lead to accidents or serious injuries.

Tramadol side effects

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience an allergic or severe skin reaction.

Tramadol may cause breathing problems or even death. If you have long, slow breaths with blue lips or are hard to awaken, someone caring for you may need to administer Naloxone.

Tramadol may cause serious side effects. If you experience:

• Sighing, noisy breathing, shallow breathing or breathing that stops while sleeping;
• A low heart rate or a weak pulse.
• A feeling of light-headedness, as if you could pass out.
• seizure (convulsions); or
• Low cortisol levels can cause nausea, vomiting; dizziness; fatigue, or weakness.

If you experience symptoms of serotonin disorder, including agitation; hallucinations; fever, sweating or shivering; rapid heart rate; muscle stiffness and twitching. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or.

People with chronic breathing disorders, wasting syndrome, and older adults are more susceptible to serious breathing problems.

Tramadol can cause several side effects.

• constipation;
• nausea and vomiting;
• stomach pain;
• dizziness;
• drowsiness;
• tiredness;
• headache;
• itching.

What other drugs can affect tramadol?

If you stop or start taking certain medicines, you may experience breathing problems or withdrawal. You should tell your doctor if other medicines are being used, such as antifungal, blood pressure or heart medication, seizure medications, and medicine for HIV, hepatitis C, or heart disease.

Tramadol can interact with many other drugs.

 Inform your doctor if:

• Medicine for allergies or other conditions such as blood pressure, motion sick, irritable Bowel, and overactive Bladder.
• Other opioid medications
• A benzodiazepine sedative such as Valium or Klonopin.
• Sleep medicine, muscle relaxers or other drugs which make you sleepy;
• Drugs that affect serotonin include antidepressants, stimulants, and medicine for migraines or Parkinson’s disease.

This list is incomplete. Tramadol may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions.

Tramadol can interact with many other drugs. Inform your doctor if:

• Medicine for motion sickness, motion sick, allergies, asthma, high blood pressure or irritable Bowel;
• Other opioid medications
• a benzodiazepine sedative such as Valium, Klonopin or Xanax.
• Sleep medicine, muscle relaxers or other drugs which make you sleepy;
• Drugs that alter serotonin levels, such as stimulants or medicines for Parkinson’s, migraines, or Parkinson’s-related diseases.

Drugs which affect serotonin in the body– a stimulant or medicine for depressive disorders, Parkinson’s disease, headaches or migraines, serious infections or nausea or vomiting.

This list is by no means complete. Tramadol can be affected by many other drugs. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal products. This list does not include all drug interactions.