Tramadol MedFacts

Tramadol

Tramadol is used for:

Treating moderate to moderately severe pain.

Tramadol is an analgesic. It works in certain areas of the brain and nervous system to decrease pain.

Do NOT use Tramadol if:

• you are allergic to any of the ingredients contained in Tramadol
• you have severe diarrhea due to taking an antibiotic
• you are intoxicated with alcohol, other opioids or narcotics (eg, morphine, codeine), sedatives or sleeping medicines (eg, temazepam, zolpidem), or other medicines
• you are taking nefazodone, carbamazepine, or sodium oxybate (GHB)

Contact your health care provider as soon as possible if any of the above applies to you.

Consider before using Tramadol

Medical Conditions

There are medical conditions that can influence usage of Tramadol . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are either pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• if you are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription (especially depression medicines) or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are allergic to codeine, a codeine-related medicine (eg, hydrocodone, dihydrocodeine, oxycodone), morphine, or a morphine-related medicine (eg, hydromorphone)
• if you have a history of alcohol abuse, substance abuse, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• if you have or recently have had any head injury, brain injury or tumor, increased pressure in the brain, or infection of the brain or nervous system
• if you have a history of stomach or intestinal problems, asthma or other lung or breathing problems, epilepsy, seizures, or chronic inflammation or ulceration of the bowels
• if you have had recent abdominal surgery
• if you have heart problems, liver problems (eg, hepatitis), kidney problems, thyroid problems, enlargement of the prostate gland, or urinary problems

Drugs Interaction

There are medicines that may interact with Tramadol . Inform your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, in particular any from the list below:

• Carbamazepine because it may decrease Tramadol 's effectiveness and increase the risk of seizures
• Certain medicines for mental or mood disorders (eg, olanzapine, haloperidol), cyclobenzaprine, isoniazid, other opioid pain medicine (eg, codeine, hydrocodone), phenothiazines (eg, promethazine), sleeping medicines (eg, zolpidem), sodium oxybate (GHB), tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline), or weight loss medicines (eg, phentermine) because side effects, including excessive drowsiness, trouble breathing, liver problems, or seizures, may be increased
• Furazolidone, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (eg, phenelzine), nefazodone, selegiline, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine) because they may cause serious and sometimes fatal reactions, including restlessness, fever, excessive sweating, confusion, twitching, and seizures
• Oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because its side effects, including bleeding, may be increased by Tramadol
• Digoxin because the risk of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, or slow heartbeat, may be increased by Tramadol

This is not a full list of all interactions that may occur. Clarify with your health care provider whether Tramadol may interact with other medicines you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Tramadol Usage Guidelines

You should use Tramadol as recommended by your doctor. Read the medicine's label for precise dosing instructions.

• Take Tramadol by mouth with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of Tramadol , take it as soon as you get it remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, ignore the missed one and get back to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.

Clarify with your health care provider any issues you may have about usage of Tramadol .

Important safety information on tramadol

• Tramadol may cause drowsiness and dizziness. There effects may be worsened when this medicine is taken with aclohol or other medicines. Use Tramadol with caution. Refrain from driving or performing other possibly dangerous activities until you know how you react to it.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Tramadol ; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Tramadol may cause dizziness; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase this effect. To prevent it, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of this effect.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Tramadol before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Use Tramadol with caution in OLDER PATIENTS, because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Tramadol should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 16 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Tramadol has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Tramadol while you are pregnant. Tramadol is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Tramadol .

When used for long periods of time or at high doses, Tramadol may not work as well and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as when originally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE. Talk with your doctor if Tramadol stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.

Some people who use Tramadol for a long time without a break may develop a physical need to continue taking it. This is known as physical DEPENDENCE. If you suddenly stop taking Tramadol , you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms including anxiety; diarrhea; fever, runny nose, or sneezing; goose bumps and abnormal skin sensations; nausea; vomiting; pain; rigid muscles; rapid heartbeat; seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there; shivering or tremors; sweating; and trouble sleeping.

Side effects may be caused by Tramadol

Any medicine may cause side effects, but the majority of people have either slight side effects, or dont have it at all. Consult your doctor if any of the most COMMON side effects from the list below persist or start bothering you:

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; fainting; fever; incoordination; muscle stiffness or tremor; seizures.

It sholud be noted, that this is not a full list of possible side effects. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include bluish skin; cold clammy skin; difficult or slow breathing; drowsiness leading to unresponsiveness or coma; excessive sweating; loss of function in the heart and lungs; nausea and vomiting; pinpoint pupils; seizures; stomach or intestinal pain.

Tramadol storage instructions:

Store Tramadol at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Tramadol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions on Tramadol , please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
• Tramadol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or even become worse, inform your doctor.

This article is a summary only, and it does not provide all the information about Tramadol . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.