Tramadol is a pain reliever that is used to treat moderate to severe pain, such as pain after surgery. Chronic pain is treated with extended-release capsules or tablets. Tramadol is an opioid analgesic, which means it relieves pain. It relieves pain by acting on the central nervous system (CNS). When tramadol is taken for an extended period of time, it may become a habit, leading to mental or physical dependency. People with chronic pain, on the other hand, should not be discouraged from taking opioids to alleviate their pain because they are afraid of becoming addicted. When drugs are taken for this reason, mental dependency (addiction) is unlikely to develop. If therapy is abruptly discontinued, physical dependency may result in withdrawal symptoms. Severe withdrawal adverse effects, on the other hand, may generally be avoided by gradually decreasing the dosage over time until therapy is entirely discontinued.

This medication is only accessible via the Opioid Analgesic REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) programme, which is a limited distribution scheme. The following dose formulations are available for this product:

1. Extended-Release Capsule
2. Solution
3. Tablet
4. Extended-Release Tablet
5. 24 Hour Extended Release Capsule
6. Suspension

Important warning regarding usage of tramadol

Tramadol has the potential to become addictive, particularly if used for an extended period of time. Tramadol should be taken precisely as prescribed. Do not take more of it, take it more often, or take it in any other manner than your doctor has prescribed. Discuss your pain treatment objectives, duration of therapy, and alternative methods to control your pain with your health care practitioner while taking tramadol. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family consumes or has consumed excessive quantities of alcohol, uses or has used street drugs, has misused prescription medicines, has had an overdose, or has suffered from depression or another mental disease. If you have or have previously had any of these diseases, you are more likely to misuse tramadol. If you believe you may develop an opioid addiction, go to your doctor right away and ask for advice.

Tramadol may induce severe or life-threatening respiratory difficulties, particularly in the first 24 to 72 hours of therapy and when the dosage is raised. Throughout your therapy, your doctor will keep a close eye on you. If you have or have ever experienced delayed breathing or asthma, tell your doctor. Tramadol is likely to be prescribed by your doctor as a no-no. Also inform your doctor if you have or have had had lung illness, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD; a group of disorders that affect the lungs and airways), a head injury, a brain tumour, or any other condition that causes your brain pressure to rise. If you’re an older adult or are weak or malnourished due to illness, you’re more likely to have breathing difficulties. Slowed breathing, lengthy gaps between breaths, or shortness of breath are all signs that you should contact your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention.

Drug interactions may cause your medicines to function differently or put you at risk for severe adverse effects. This list may not include all potential medication interactions. Keep a list of everything you take (including prescription and nonprescription medications, as well as herbal items) and discuss it with your doctor and pharmacist. Without your doctor’s permission, do not begin, stop, or alter the dose of any medications.

Certain pain medicines (mixed opioid agonist-antagonists such as pentazocine, nalbuphine, and butorphanol), as well as naltrexone, may interact with this substance.

When MAO inhibitors are used with this medicine, a severe (potentially deadly) drug interaction may occur. During therapy with this medicine, do not use MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine). Most MAO inhibitors should be avoided for two weeks before starting this therapy. When should you start or stop taking this medication? Consult your doctor.

If you take additional medicines that boost serotonin, you’re more likely to get serotonin syndrome or poisoning. Street drugs like MDMA/”ecstasy,” St. John’s wort, and antidepressants (such as SSRIs like fluoxetine/paroxetine and SNRIs like duloxetine/venlafaxine) are just a few examples. When you first start or raise the dosage of these medications, you may be more susceptible to serotonin syndrome/toxicity.

Over Dose

If someone has overdosed and is experiencing severe symptoms like as passing out or having difficulty breathing, provide naloxone if it is available. Call a poison control centre immediately away if the individual is awake and has no symptoms. Residents in the United States may contact their local poison control centre . Slow breathing, slow/irregular heartbeat, unconsciousness, and seizures are all signs of an overdose.

Overdosage symptoms include the following:

1. pupil size is shrinking (the black circle in the centre of the eye)
2. breathing problems
3. breathing that is shallow or sluggish
4. severe tiredness or drowsiness
5. unable to react or awaken
6. sluggish heartbeat
7. muscle wasting
8. skin that is cold and clammy

How should tramadol be used?

Tramadol may be taken by mouth as a tablet, a solution (liquid), an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, or an extended-release (long-acting) capsule. The normal pill and solution are typically taken every 4 to 6 hours, with or without meals, as required. Once a day, take the extended-release pill or extended-release capsule. Every day, take the extended-release tablet and extended-release capsule at approximately the same time. You may take the extended-release pill with or without meals if you want. If you’re taking an extended-release pill, you should either take it with meal or without food every time. Tramadol should be taken precisely as prescribed. Do not take more medicine in a single dosage or in more doses per day than your doctor has recommended. Taking more tramadol than your doctor prescribed or in an unapproved manner may result in severe adverse effects or death. If you are using the solution, normal pills, or orally disintegrating tablets, your doctor may start you on a low dosage of tramadol and gradually increase the quantity of medicine you take every 3 days, or every 5 days if you are taking the extended-release tablets or extended-release capsules.