About Tramadol
Tramadol can be found in several forms, with the most widespread of them being oral tablets. It’s available only if a patient has a prescription from the doctor. Tramadol can be taken in its immediate-release formulation or extended-release formulation. The difference between these two pills is the time required for the medication to start working.
Tramadol is quite an expensive drug. However, its generic version is available. Most often, you can find the medication under the brand name Ultram (when it comes to immediate-release tablets). These are the most costly pills on the market. When purchasing generic versions keep in mind that they aren’t present in every strength and form.
No matter what kind and form of Tramadol you are taking, a doctor’s supervision is a must.
Who needs Tramadol
Doctors prescribe Tramadol for patients who suffer from pain.
The main advantage of Tramadol is that it can be used in combination therapy. It’s allowed to take this medicine along with other drugs.
How does the medicine work?
Tramadol is a medication from a class of synthetic opioids. All drugs from this group work in the same way. They are all the same useful in treating similar symptoms.
Tramadol alters the way your brain senses the pain. Just like our natural painkillers – endorphins – the drug binds our receptors. The receptors reduce the intensity and amount of “pain signals” that go to our brain. As a result, a patient thinks he’s in less pain.
Negative consequences when taking Tramadol
One of the downsides of treatment with Tramadol is possible sleepiness. If you experience something like this, avoid driving or using heavy machinery and dangerous tools until you feel better. Other side effects of Tramadol are listed below.
Most common side effects
If you take Tramadol, get ready to experience one or several of the following conditions:
- dizziness
- headaches
- feeling drowsy or sleepy
- feeling sick
- constipation
- apathy
- sweating
- dry mouth
- itching
There’s no need to worry about these consequences unless they are severe. The mild effects will go away in a few days. However, if they cause you trouble, be sure to contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Interaction of Tramadol with other drugs
Tramadol can be taken together with the majority of other drugs, vitamins, supplements, and even herbs. However, they may change the way the painkilling pill works – it may be the same effect as you expect.
In order to get the best from your therapy with Tramadol, tell your doctor about other medications and vitamins you are currently using. Don’t forget to mention anything: supplements, herbs, etc. If you don’t know how several drugs will interact, ask your pharmacist before you start your treatment.
Below, we list some drugs that can lower the effects of Tramadol.
List of medications
Combining Tramadol with some other medicines may lead to intense side effects. Usually, the reason behind it is the increased amount of the drug. Below, you can find a list of medications that can be taken with Tramadol if your doctor allows you to.
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants
- Antifungal drugs
- Heart rhythm drugs
- Protease inhibitors
Consider this when taking Tramadol
The main thing you should know before the beginning of your therapy is the correct dosage. It’s prescribed individually based on a patient’s age, medical history, the condition and its intensity, reaction to the first dosage and other drugs a patient is using at the moment.
Moreover, a doctor may choose different forms and strengths of the tablet, adjust them when necessary, and combine them with other medicines to make the treatment as effective as possible.
We provide general information on the Tramadol dosage. Please, don’t take these recommendations personally and be sure to discuss treatment with your doctor.
Adults: the dosage for patients aged 18-64 shouldn’t be more than 200 mg per day. It means that you can take up to 4 immediate-release pills of 50 mg if you tolerate the medicine well. In the case of using XR tablets, the typical daily dosage is 100 mg.
Children: there’s only one type of Tramadol pill suitable for patients aged 0-17. It’s an IR formulation. The maximum dosage can be the same as for adult patients (200 mg per day).
Elders: treating patients of 65+ years comes with great responsibility and expertise as the liver and kidneys don’t work the same at this age. As a result, this group of patients may need more Tramadol than children or adults. This may result in a huge risk of side effects.