Tramadol

Recently Answered

• QHow does tramadol interact with other medications or food?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  If you are taking an anticholinergic drug, a diuretic, metoclopramide, or rufinamide, tramadol may not be a good option for you.
  
  If you are taking linezolid, metaxalone, tedizolid, an antipsychotic drug, an opioid, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), or a serotonin-NE reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), tramadol can lead to serious side effects.
  
  If you are using azelastine nasal spray, carbamazepine, dabrafenib, eluxadoline, orphenadrine, paraldehyde, or thalidomide, tramadol can lead to side effects and should be avoided.
  
  If you are taking an MAO inhibitor or have taken one in the past few weeks, tramadol can lead to serious side effects.
  
  If you take tramadol, you should avoid St. John's wort and kava kava. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
   
• QWhat should I know about tramadol before using it?

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Tramadol increases the risk of seizures for those with a seizure disorder.
  
  If you are allergic to opioids, tramadol may not be a good option for you.
  
  If you have ever attempted suicide, you should not take tramadol.
  
  If you are prone to addiction, you should not take tramadol.
  
  If you have severe kidney function impairment or severe liver function impairment, you should not take tramadol extended-release tablets.
  
  If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or may be pregnant, tramadol may not be a good option for you. It is not known if it is safe for pregnant women.
  
  Tramadol is passed into breast milk and may not be a good option for breastfeeding women.
  
  If you have had a recent head injury, tramadol may not be a good option for you.
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
• QWhat are the side effects of tramadol?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Darria Gillespie, MD , Emergency Medicine, answered

  Tramadol can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when high levels of serotonin accumulate in the body. Symptoms include drowsiness, weakness, shivering, and uncontrolled jerking movements.
   
  Other side effects may include headaches, dizziness, vertigo (sense of spinning), weakness, sweating, itching, dry mouth, loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea. 
  
  This answer was adapted from Sharecare's award-winning AskMD app. Start a consultation now to find out what's causing your symptoms, learn how to manage a condition, or find a doctor.
• QWhat is tramadol extended-release?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Tramadol extended-release is a prescription medication that is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain. This medication is a narcotic-like pain medication that affects the central nervous system and is used when around-the-clock pain treatment is needed. The brand names for tramadol extended-release are Ultram ER and Ryzolt. 
  
  
• QWhat are the side effects of tramadol extended-release?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Serious side effects of tramadol extended-release that require immediate medical attention include:

  • agitation
  • hallucinations
  • fever
  • rapid heartbeats
  • overactive reflexes
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • loss of coordination
  • fainting
  • seizure
  • blistering skin rash
  • shallow breathing
  • weak pulse

  Less serious side effects include:

  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • weakness
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • poor appetite
  • blurred vision
  • flushing
  • sleeplessness

• QWho should not use tramadol extended-release?

  1 Answer

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  People who are allergic to tramadol, opioid medications or any ingredient contained in tramadol extended-release tablets, should not take this medication. Tramadol extended-release should not be used in people who are also taking opioids, alcohol, hypnotics, narcotics, centrally acting analgesics or any psychotropic drugs. Do not use this medication if you have severe liver or kidney problems or if you are taking carbamazepine, nefazodone, sodium oxybate, thioxanthene,or other tramadol-containing products.
  
  
• QWhat is tramadol?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Tramadol is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. This medication is a man-made narcotic-like pain medication. Tramadol affects the central nervous system to reduce pain.
  
  
• QWho should not use tramadol?

  1 Answer

  A

  

  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  People who are allergic to tramadol, to opioid medications or to any ingredient contained in tramadol tablets, should not take this medication. Tramadol should not be used in people who are using opioids, alcohol, hypnotic, other narcotics, centrally acting analgesics or any psychotropic drugs. Tramodol has been found to increase the risk of suicide in those who are addiction-prone or taking tranquilizers or antidepressants. Tramadol should be avoided by people taking antidepressants in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) group. This combination can cause serotonin syndrome, which is characterized by rapid development of overheating, hogh blood pressure, muscle rigidity, mental status changes (e.g., delirium or coma), and in rare cases, death. You should not use tramadol if you have ever had an alcohol or drug addiction. People with severe respiratory or lung conditions should not take the medicine.
  
  
• QHow does tramadol compare to narcotic medication?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Grant Cooper, MD , Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, answered

  Tramadol (Ultram), is similar in its mode of action to certain narcotics, in that it is an analgesic without anti-inflammatory effects. However, unlike narcotics, it does not depress respiration or have as great an addictive potential as narcotic medications.