What is Tramadol?
The technical description says it is an opioid analgesic. That means it is a painkiller designed to work like the more powerful drugs derived from opium, but without the same risks of addiction.
How is Tramadol supplied?
For use in the home, it is supplied as either a conventional tablet or in extended-release form to give you a more even concentration of the drug in your bloodstream over time.
Is Tramadol for everyone?
In most people, Tramadol works safely and well but care in needed in the following situations:
- if you are planning a family or discover you are pregnant while taking Tramadol, discuss the situation with a doctor — it is also unwise to take Tramadol if you are proposing to breast-feed your baby;
- if you have an anxiety disorder or are depressed, you should take advice — there can be adverse interactions between Tramadol and some antidepressants;
- if you have ever had a seizure or have recently had a head injury, it is unwise to take Tramadol — in a small number of cases, the drug has triggered a seizure;
- if you have any history of drug abuse or alcoholism, you should not tempt yourself with Tramadol — although the usual risk of addiction is very small, it is more likely to affect you if you have had addiction problems.
What drugs interact with Tramadol?
In general, you should not take Tramadol at the same time as any other painkiller or drugs that have a sedative effect, e.g. sleeping pills, anti-anxiety drugs, allergy and cold remedies, muscle relaxants, etc. There are some antidepressants and drugs used to treat more serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia that should be avoided.
Dosage
Take the drug as the doctor or pharmacist has directed. It is not safe for you to decide much much to take and for how long. Take the pill or capsule whole with a glass of water. If you chew or crush the tablet, this speeds up the rate at which your body absorbs the drug and can cause side effects. There are no particular rules about taking the drug with or without food. Just be consistent.
Should you take any precautions?
There are real risks if you drink alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant and, when combined with Tramadol, it can cause your breathing to slow and produce confusion and possible fainting.
What are the side effects?
Millions of people take Tramadol every day without any problems. In a small number of cases, people find themselves feeling drowsy, dizzy and a little weak. This affects people until they build up tolerance over the first week of treatment. There can also be gastric effects with people either feeling nauseous and vomiting, or growing constipated. The more serious effects are loss of physical coordination, weak pulse and fainting, or an increasingly agitated physical and mental state with racing heart and fast breathing, and confused and disturbed thinking. This justifies a visit to the nearest emergency room.