Tramadol

Generic name: Tramadol
Drug class: Opioids (narcotic analgesics)

Usage of Tramadol

Tramadol is a strong pain medication used to treat moderate to severe pain that is not being relieved by other types of pain medicines. Tramadol is a synthetic opioid and acts in the brain and spine (central nervous system) to reduce the amount of pain you feel.

The extended-release form of tramadol is for around-the-clock treatment of pain. This form of tramadol is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain.

Tramadol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to tramadol (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Tramadol can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Tramadol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep;
  • a slow heart rate or weak pulse;
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
  • seizure (convulsions); or
  • low cortisol levels - nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.

    • Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

    Serious breathing problems may be more likely in older adults and people who are debilitated or have wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders.

    Common side effects of tramadol may include:

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

    • This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Tramadol

    You should not take tramadol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

  • severe asthma or breathing problems;
  • a stomach or bowel obstruction (including paralytic ileus);
  • if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or narcotic medications; or
  • if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days (such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine).

    • Tramadol should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old. Ultram ER should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years old.

    Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old who recently had surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.

    Seizures have occurred in some people taking tramadol. Your seizure risk may be higher if you have ever had:

  • a head injury, epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
  • drug or alcohol addiction; or
  • a metabolic disorder.

    • To make sure tramadol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • breathing problems, sleep apnea;
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • urination problems;
  • problems with your gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid;
  • a stomach disorder; or
  • mental illness, or suicide attempt.

    • If you use tramadol during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and may need medical treatment for several weeks.

    Ask a doctor before using tramadol if you are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you notice severe drowsiness or slow breathing in the nursing baby.

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    How to use Tramadol

    Usual Adult Dose for Pain:

    Adults (17 years or older): 50 to 100 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain -For patients not requiring rapid onset of analgesic effect: Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day; titrate in 25 mg increments every 3 days to reach a dose of 25 mg four times a day; thereafter increase by 50 mg as tolerated every 3 days Maximum dose: 400 mg per day.

    Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Pain:

    Extended-Release (ER): 18 years or older (tramadol-naive): 100 mg orally once a day -Individually titrate in 100 mg increments every 5 days to an effective dose that minimizes adverse reactions -Maximum Dose: 300 mg/day For patients CURRENTLY receiving Immediate-Release (IR) Tramadol: Initial Dose: Calculate 24-hour IR requirement and initiate with a total daily ER dose rounded down to the next lowest 100 mg increment orally once a day Conversion from other Opioids: Discontinue all other around the clock opioid drugs prior to initiating therapy -Initial dose: 100 mg ER orally once a day -Individually titrate in 100 mg increments every 5 days to an effective dose that minimizes adverse reactions -Maximum Dose: 300 mg/day.

    Usual Geriatric Dose for Pain:

    Dose selection should be cautious generally starting at the low end of the dose range Over 75 years: Maximum dose of Immediate-release: 300 mg per day.

    Usual Geriatric Dose for Chronic Pain:

    Dose selection should be cautious generally starting at the low end of the dose range Over 75 years: Maximum dose of Immediate-release: 300 mg per day.

    Usual Pediatric Dose for Pain:

    Tramadol is not recommended for use in pediatric patients 17 years or older: See Adult Dose.

    Warnings

    Seizures have been reported in patients taking tramadol. Your risk of seizures is higher if you are taking higher doses than recommended. Seizure risk is also higher in those with a seizure disorder or those taking certain antidepressants or opioid medications.

    Tramadol should not be used if you are suicidal or prone to addiction.

    You should not take tramadol if you have severe breathing problems, a blockage in your stomach or intestines, or if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, narcotic medication, or an MAO inhibitor (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others).

    Tramadol can slow or stop your breathing, and may be habit-forming. MISUSE OF THIS MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Keep this medicine where others cannot get to it.

    Tramadol should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old, or anyone younger than 18 years old who recently had surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids. Ultram ER should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years old.

    Taking tramadol during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

    Fatal side effects can occur if you use this medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

    What other drugs will affect Tramadol

    You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.

    Many other drugs can be dangerous when used with tramadol. Tell your doctor if you also use:

  • medicine for allergies, asthma, blood pressure, motion sickness, irritable bowel, or overactive bladder;
  • other opioid medicines;
  • a benzodiazepine sedative like Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax;
  • sleep medicine, muscle relaxers, or other drugs that make you drowsy; or
  • drugs that affect serotonin, such as antidepressants, stimulants, or medicine for migraines or Parkinson's disease.

    • This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with tramadol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

    Many other drugs can be dangerous when used with tramadol. Tell your doctor if you also use:

  • medicine for allergies, asthma, blood pressure, motion sickness, irritable bowel, or overactive bladder;
  • other opioid medicines;
  • a benzodiazepine sedative like Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax;
  • sleep medicine, muscle relaxers, or other drugs that make you drowsy;
  • drugs that affect serotonin, such as antidepressants, stimulants, or medicine for migraines or Parkinson's disease.
  • drugs that affect serotonin levels in your body - a stimulant, or medicine for depression, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or nausea and vomiting.

    • This list is not complete. Many other drugs may affect tramadol. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

    Disclaimer

    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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