Tramadol is potent pain reliever. It can be prescribed individually or as combination with other drugs. These drug have a powerful effect on your brain. It is highly effective pain reliever.
Tramadol prescriptions may only be refilled up to five times within a six month period after the date on which the prescription was written. After five refills or after six months, whichever occurs first, a new prescription is required.
Tramadol has two different actions in the body. It is an opioid analgesic, which means that it attaches to receptors in your brain to change your perception of pain. It also works like an antidepressant, prolonging the actions of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain. Tramadol is available under several brand names, including Ultram.
Tramadol is a controlled drug, and prescriptions can be called to pharmacies, but many health systems are adopting more stringent guidelines on prescribing this drug.
Tramadol can affect your driving, since they make you drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery while taking tramadol until you know how you react to it.
Tramadol commonly used to treat pain related to cancer or other chronic conditions. It may also be prescribed following an injury or surgical procedure. Tramadol is generally prescribed for moderate to severe pain.
Your body may start to develop a tolerance to opioids. This may require you to increase your dosage to achieve the same effect. You may experience symptoms of withdrawal when you stop taking them. You're more likely to develop a dependence on these drugs if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
Brand names: Conzip, Ultram.
Also: Rybix and Ryzolt, but they no longer on the market. Generic alternatives are available.
Tramadol (Ultram) is prescribed for:
- treatment of the pain syndrome of average severity caused by the inflammatory, vascular or traumatic diseases.
- For pain relief during light surgeries and also painful clinic and laboratory diagnostics.
Tramadol Way of use and dosage:
- Tramadol (Ultram) is available in 50 mg tablets and also tablets of prolonged action of 100, 150, 200, 250 mg
- The schedule of the treatment and dosage regimen is indicated for each patient individually according to the general analyses and also the characteristics of the pain syndrome.
- For pain syndrome of middle severity patients are prescribed 50 mg every 6 hours.
- The tablets of the prolonged action containing 100 mg or 200 mg of the active component should be used once per 12 hours.
- The drug is allowed persons older than 14 years old.
- The maximally allowed daily dose of Tramadol (Ultram) is 400 mg.
- In exceptional cases the oncological patients are allowed using higher daily doses but only under the supervision of the doctor.
- The use of the tablets after meals will help to reduce the stomach upset and unpleasant side reactions of digestion organs.
Is Tramadol the same as Tramadol HCL?
Yes, Tramadol and Tramadol HCL (hydrochloride) are essentially the same medication in terms of their core active ingredient and therapeutic effect. The difference lies in their chemical composition:
Tramadol:
This is the base drug, an opioid analgesic used for treating moderate to severe pain. It works by changing the way the brain perceives and responds to pain.
Tramadol HCL (Hydrochloride):
This is Tramadol in the form of its hydrochloride salt. The hydrochloride is added to improve the solubility of Tramadol in water. This modification is common in pharmaceutical manufacturing to enhance the stability, bioavailability, and absorption of a medication.
In practical terms, when Tramadol is prescribed, it is typically in the form of Tramadol HCL. This is because the hydrochloride version is more readily absorbed by the body due to its increased solubility. However, the pain-relieving action and overall pharmacological properties of Tramadol and Tramadol HCL are the same. Read more here about difference between Tramadol and Tramadol hcl.
Tramadol Precautions:
- It is strictly forbidden to take Tramadol (Ultram) longer than it is indicated by your attending doctor. In case of the prolonged use of the drug the addiction may occur.
- It is contraindicated to use of the drug during pregnancy and in the period of the breast feeding because the active medical components may have bad influence on the development of the fetus/child.
- Children younger than 14 years old are forbidden to use this analgesic because of the high risk of the development of the physical addiction in the child age.
- It is not recommended to take the drug during epilepsy, central nervous system acute disorders, alcohol or narcotic poisoning, during central nervous system oppression, and increase of the intracranial pressure.
- The simultaneous use of Tramadol (Ultram) with other psychoactive medical products may cause the appearance of severe side effects.
If you take any medicines, it is necessary to find out about their medical interaction before the use Tramadol.
Support groups may be helpful for patients who take tramadol, who use medications for pain relief, who are in need of addiction support, and for many other needs. Joining one or more support groups is a great way to discover others with related medications and similar conditions, find out more information and share your own experience.
There is a common misconception that drugs such Tramadol are somehow safer because of they can be prescribed by a doctor. Education about the dangers of drugs must become part of the curriculum and be discussed and debated openly in our schools, removing any false glamorization or mystique from the use of such substances.
Is Tramadol being misused?
According to the World Health Organization, tramadol is considered relatively safe for pain relief when used responsibly and as prescribed by a doctor. However, tramadol can be used inappropriately or be excluded from medical use. The FDA's drug labeling has been updated to include information about the potential for misuse. The label indicates that use of the drug can lead to psychological and physical dependence. Concerns about tramadol misuse are due to the risks of physical dependency, opioid addiction, and overdose. Studies funded by WADA have also confirmed tramadol's potential to enhance sports performance. On January 1, 2024, WADA announced that tramadol is included in the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods. Athletes taking tramadol are advised to talk to their doctor about finding alternative pain relievers allowed in sports. If no alternative is available, athletes may need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption to continue using tramadol. If you are taking tramadol outside of competition, be mindful of the "washout period" and ensure that you have stopped using it before this period begins to allow the drug to clear from your system.
WADA advises athletes to discontinue tramadol use well before the start of competitions. According to WADA, this time is 24 hours. This duration is calculated based on pharmacological data about how quickly the drug is metabolized and eliminated from the body so that its levels drop to a degree that they no longer affect an athlete's performance and cannot be detected during doping control.
How easy is it to become addicted to Tramadol?
As long as you take Tramadol at the times your doctor recommends, it is unlikely that you will be become addicted. But some people have reported becoming addictive to Tramadol.
Withdrawal from tramadol begins about a few hours after the last dose of tramadol has worn off. Even if you don't have an addiction to tramadol, you can experience these symptoms when you stop taking tramadol.
Can Tramadol be mixed with alcohol?
Tramadol is an extremely strong painkiller given to patients who are in extreme discomfort when other traditional painkillers stop working. It works as the drug blocks pain signals from travelling along the nerves to the brain to ease any discomfort a person might be feeling.
Tramadol is quite often given to patients who might be in pain after major surgery or to people who have long-term conditions such as arthritis. Even though Tramadol is a very effective painkiller, like all drugs, there can be side effects to taking it. Some people have reported have difficulty breathing and their asthma becoming worse as a result of taking the drug. Patients who are prescribed Tramadol are advised that they should not drink alcohol while taking this drug.
Tramadol Side effects:
Tramadol (Ultram) should be used with special caution because the non-observance of the dosage regimen and prolonged use of the high doses of analgetic may cause the following side effects:
- deferred response
- stimulation of the central nervous system (nervousness, anxiety, tremor, spasms, hallucinations)
- sleep disorder
- depression
- stomach upset (diarrhea, vomiting, stomachache)
- tachycardia
- sharp attacks of hypotension
- hives
If the side effects cause anxiety, it is necessary to see a doctor.
In some US states the use of tramadol still requires prescription. Though in some countries tramadol can be availed without prescription. They don't classify Tramadol as a controlled substance. In some countries, this substance is commonly used to treat pain and can be bought without a prescription. One of the largest generics and specialty pharmaceutical companies in the world Mylan, announced the launch of its generic of Ultram (tramadol hydrochloride) extended-release tablets in the United States. The drug is indicated to treat moderate to moderately sever chronic pain who require constant treatment for extended time periods. Tramadol is a strong opioid algesic, prescription drug that comes in 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg, 250 mg tablets. It is available on prescription only as tablets for oral use, but the online pharmacy, will sell Tramadol without prescription. You may be able to order Ultram from them online and save the local pharmacy markup.