Everything you need to know before buying Tramadol
Tramadol is a drug to be taken orally. It’s available by prescription and exists in immediate-release formation and extended-release formation. They differ in the amount of time that requires for the drug to start working: immediate-release tablets are much quicker.
Tramadol also can be purchased in its generic form. In the pharmacies, you’ll find it under the brand name Ultram. It may be a good choice for the majority of patients as the cost of the generic drug is way lower. However, they cannot be found in all forms and strengths.
Tramadol belongs to the group of controlled medications. A doctor should control and supervise his patient throughout the entire course of treatment.
What does Tramadol cure?
Tramadol is a great painkiller.
Tramadol may be taken with other drugs or independently. The doctor decides the best possible solution for each individual case.
How exactly does the drug work?
Tramadol is classified as a synthetic opioid. That means it has similar effects on the human body. All these medicines can be used for treating the same conditions.
Tramadol interferes with the work of your brain. It prevents receptors from transmitting pain messages to the patient’s brain. It’s safe to say that Tramadol acts as endorphins. Endorphins are released by the human body in response to moderate or severe pain. As a result of this process, your brain is tricked into not “feeling” any pain.
Side effects of taking Tramadol
The main side effect is Tramadol is sleepiness. Make sure to avoid all dangerous activities: driving, using tools and machinery. When the effect wears off, you may return to your normal routine. However, Tramadol is known for other negative effects.
List of negative effects
Patients who take Tramadol may experience those things:
- feeling tired
- headache
- sleepiness
- sickness and vomiting
- constipation
- absence of energy
- sweating
- dry mouth
- itching
These effects may be mild or severe. If they are relatively tolerable, just wait for a few days or weeks and they’ll disappear. But if they bother you, contact your doctor or pharmacist to learn more.
Tramadol in combination with other meds
If you’re currently taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, Tramadol is still a good solution for your pain problems. However, all additional substances may alter the way the pills work. For example, there may be no changes in your condition.
To lower undesirable interactions, it’s important to speak to your doctor before you begin the treatment. Tell him everything about the drugs, herbs and vitamins you are currently taking. The doctor will be able to decide what dosage is safest and the most effective at the same time.
Below, we listed the drugs that should be combined with Tramadol only with the doctor’s permission.
What medicines should you NOT take with Tramadol?
Tramadol in combination with certain drugs may lead to some side effects. It usually happens because of the amount of the drug’s active component in the body increases. In this case, a patient should get checked by the doctor more frequently than usual. Adjusting the dose will keep you feeling unpleasant effects.
There are some medicines that you should tell your doctor about:
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants
- Antifungal drugs
- Heart rhythm drugs
- Protease inhibitors
Tramadol dosages & tips
Treatment with Tramadol will be different for every patient. It’s up to your doctor to decide what kind of pill you should take, and what the optimal strength will be. It mostly depends on the patient’s age, medical history, current problems/condition, the severity of this condition and the individual reaction to the first dose.
Here are some recommendations for all groups of patients:
- Adults (aged 18-64) can take both immediate-release formation and XR pills. The dosage will be different depending on the tablet type. It’s not recommended to consume more than 200 mg of Tramadol in immediate-release form or 100 mg if taking the XR tablet per day.
- Children (aged 0-17) can be treated with this medicine as well, although extended-release formation is prohibited for them. The daily dosage depends on the tolerance and medical history but can be up to 4 x 50 mg.
- Seniors (aged 65+) should take Tramadol with caution because their liver and kidneys don’t work the same way as they used to. As a result, it takes more time for the tablet to start working and the dosage may be a bit higher than for other groups of patients. The maximum daily intake shouldn’t be more than 300 mg.