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.

Última actualización 07/08/2023 por Jonathan Dade

What Is Tramadol?

Tramadol is a morfine-like painkiller (opiate) that has a strong pain-relieving effect. Doctors prescribe it for sudden or long-lasting severe pain, such as after an accident, surgery or due to cancer. It is also used for osteoarthritis (joint pain due to thinning cartilage). Furthermore, it can also help with premature ejaculation (coming too soon). Tramadol is available in various forms, such as capsules, tablets, drops, suppositories and injections. It is also available in combination with paracetamol, such as Zaldiar.

What are the advantages of Tramadol?

Some of the advantages of tramadol are:

• It can provide effective relief for moderate to severe pain that does not respond to other painkillers.
• It can be used for different types of pain, such as nerve pain, cancer pain and osteoarthritis pain.
• It can also help with premature ejaculation by delaying the orgasm reflex.
• It can be taken orally or by injection, depending on the severity and duration of the pain.
• It has a lower risk of addiction and dependence than other opioids, such as morphine.

What are the disadvantages of Tramadol?

Some of the disadvantages of tramadol are:

• It can cause various side effects, such as nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, itching and sweating.
• It can interact with many other medications, such as antidepressants, antifungals, antipsychotics and anxiety drugs.
• It can impair your ability to drive or operate machinery, especially when you start taking it or increase the dose.
• It can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly or reduce the dose too quickly.
• It can be abused or misused by people who are looking for a euphoric or sedative effect.
• It can be harmful for pregnant or breastfeeding women and their babies.

Why is Tramadol prescribed?

Tramadol is prescribed when other painkillers, such as paracetamol, codeine or NSAIDs, are not enough to control moderate to severe pain.

Why buy Tramadol without prescription?

You should not buy tramadol without prescription. Tramadol is a controlled substance that requires a doctor’s prescription and supervision. Buying tramadol without prescription can be dangerous for several reasons:

• You may not know the source, quality or authenticity of the tramadol you buy online or from other sources. You may end up with counterfeit, adulterated or expired tramadol that can harm your health.
• You may not know the right dose, frequency or duration of tramadol for your condition. You may take too much or too little tramadol and experience serious side effects or inadequate pain relief.
• You may not be aware of the potential interactions, contraindications or precautions of tramadol with other medications, medical conditions or lifestyle factors. You may increase your risk of adverse reactions or complications by taking tramadol without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
• You may develop a tolerance, dependence or addiction to tramadol if you use it without medical guidance. You may experience withdrawal symptoms or cravings if you try to stop or reduce tramadol on your own.
• You may break the law by buying tramadol without prescription. Tramadol is a controlled substance that is subject to strict regulations and penalties. You may face legal consequences if you are caught buying, possessing or selling tramadol without prescription.

How to use Tramadol?

You should use tramadol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the instructions on the label and do not take more or less than the recommended dose. Do not crush, chew or break the tablets or capsules, as this may affect the release and absorption of tramadol. Swallow them whole with a glass of water .

What dosage of Tramadol should you take?

The dosage of tramadol depends on your age, weight, pain severity, medical condition and response to treatment. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you and adjust it as needed. The following are some general guidelines for tramadol dosage :

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

The usual adult dosage of tramadol is 50 to 100 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain relief. The maximum dose is 400 mg per day. For extended-release tablets or capsules, the usual adult dosage is 100 mg once a day. The maximum dose is 300 mg per day .

Child dosage (ages 0 to 5 months)

Tramadol is not recommended for children younger than 6 months of age .

Child dosage (ages 6 months to 17 years)

The child dosage of tramadol is based on the child’s weight and pain severity. The usual child dosage of tramadol is 1 to 2 mg per kg every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain relief. The maximum dose is 8 mg per kg per day or 400 mg per day, whichever is lower. For extended-release tablets or capsules, the usual child dosage of tramadol is 50 to 100 mg once a day. The maximum dose is 300 mg per day .

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The senior dosage of tramadol may be lower than the adult dosage, as older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of tramadol. The usual senior dosage of tramadol is 25 to 50 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain relief. The maximum dose is 300 mg per day. For extended-release tablets or capsules, the usual senior dosage of tramadol is 50 to 100 mg once a day. The maximum dose is 200 mg per day .

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of tramadol, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one .

How to take Tramadol?

You should take tramadol with or without food, depending on your preference. However, if you have nausea, you may find it easier to take tramadol with food or milk .

What are Tramadol side effects?

Tramadol may cause some side effects, especially when you start taking it or increase the dose. Some of the common side effects of tramadol are:

• Nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain or indigestion
• Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, fatigue or insomnia
• Dry mouth, sweating, flushing or itching
• Mood changes, anxiety, confusion or hallucinations
• Tremor, muscle spasms, weakness or coordination problems
• Blurred vision, ringing in the ears or changes in taste

Some of the serious side effects of tramadol are:

• Seizures, especially if you have a history of epilepsy, head injury or take certain antidepressants or opioids
• Respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing), especially if you have lung problems or take other drugs that affect breathing
• Serotonin syndrome (a potentially life-threatening condition caused by too much serotonin in the brain), especially if you take other drugs that increase serotonin levels, such as SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs or triptans
• Allergic reactions (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or severe skin reactions (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling)
• Low blood pressure (hypotension), fast heart rate (tachycardia) or irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), especially if you have heart problems or take other drugs that affect the heart
• Liver damage (hepatotoxicity), especially if you have liver problems or take other drugs that affect the liver
• Kidney damage (nephrotoxicity), especially if you have kidney problems or take other drugs that affect the kidney
• Withdrawal symptoms (such as restlessness, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, sweating, shivering, tremor, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or muscle pain) if you stop taking tramadol suddenly or reduce the dose too quickly

If you experience any of these side effects, you should contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention right away. You should also report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor. Do not stop taking tramadol without your doctor’s advice.

What may interact with this medication?

Tramadol may interact with many other medications, which can affect how it works or increase the risk of serious side effects. You should tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medications you are taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal and recreational drugs. Some of the medications that may interact with tramadol are:

Acid-suppressing drugs

These drugs are used to treat heartburn, ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). They include omeprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole. They may reduce the absorption of tramadol and make it less effective for pain relief.

Allergy or cold drugs

These drugs are used to treat allergic reactions, runny nose, cough and congestion. They include antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, cetirizine and loratadine, and decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. They may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by tramadol.

Antidepressants

These drugs are used to treat depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. They include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as duloxetine and venlafaxine, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine and tranylcypromine. They may increase the levels of tramadol and serotonin in the brain, which can lead to seizures and serotonin syndrome .

Antifungal drugs

These drugs are used to treat fungal infections, such as thrush, ringworm and athlete’s foot. They include ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole. They may increase the levels of tramadol in the blood, which can increase the risk of side effects .

Antipsychotic drugs

These drugs are used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other psychotic conditions. They include haloperidol, risperidone, quetiapine and olanzapine. They may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by tramadol.

Anxiety drugs

These drugs are used to treat anxiety, panic disorder and insomnia. They include benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, alprazolam and lorazepam, and z-drugs, such as zolpidem, zopiclone and zaleplon. They may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by tramadol. They may also increase the risk of respiratory depression (slow or shallow breathing) when taken with tramadol .

Motion sickness drugs

These drugs are used to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness or other causes. They include dimenhydrinate, meclizine and scopolamine. They may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by tramadol.

Frequently asked questions