Facts to Consider When Purchasing Tramadol

 

Sue Smith discusses tramadol, how the drug works, its prescription and dosing, tramadol cross-reactivity, pregnancy precautions, and the drug's side effects and dangers. Knowing this information is imperative if one is about to purchase tramadol and use it for treatment.

What is tramadol?
Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever used to relieve around-the-clock moderate to severe pain. The drug affects the brain's opiate receptors by binding to them while also releasing serotonin and inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine. Tramadol is a synthetic analog to codeine and, as such, is often used interchangeably with it.

Because tramadol is a weak agonist of the opioid receptor, as well as a serotonin releasing agent, it causes a state of euphoria and relaxation while being taken. Its structural similarity to venlafaxine (Effexor) has resulted in it sometimes being prescribed as an antidepressant.

Tramadol is metabolized by the liver enzyme cytochrome p450, and more specifically, by its isozymes CYP2B6, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4. Grapefruit contains an extract that is well known to inhibit CYP isozyme activity, increasig the risk of tramadol toxicity. Patients eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice are advised to discuss their dietary intake with their doctors.

Tramadol prescription and dosing
Because it is considered a controlled substance in the USA and Canada, a prescription is required to purchase tramadol. The generic form of the drug is provided in 50 mg tablets that are designed for extended release. Other forms of tramadol include capsules, suppositories, powders, SC, IM, and IV solutions, and mixture tablets and capsules (also containing aspirin, acetaminophen, etc.). Brand names that one might purchase tramadol under include Rybix, Ryzolt, Ultram, and Ultram ER.

Dosing of tramadol can begin with an initial amount of 25 mg every morning, followed by 25 mg increment increases every 3 days until the patient is taking 25 mg amounts 4 times a day. Once the 100 mg threshold is reached, dosing can be increased every 3 days by 50 mg until the patient is taking 50 mg amounts 4 times a day. At this point, 50 mg to 100 mg of tramadol may be taken for pain relief, with the total daily amount not exceeding 400 mg per day.

Tramadol extended-release tablets should be swallowed whole. Larger doses than those prescribed should not be taken because they can lead to serious side effects such as seizures or even death. Tramadol can be habit-forming; therefore, suddenly stopping tramadol intake can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, panic attacks, shaking, insomnia, chills, nausea, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, pain, numbness, or even hallucinations. Because of the risk of these side effects, drug doage should be decreased gradually.

Cross-reactivity
Tramadol can cross-react with other medications and increase the risk of seizure. These medications include MAO inhibitors such as tranylcypromine (Parnate), isocarboxazid (Marplan), selegiline (Eldepryl), and phenelzine (Nardil), as well as antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), desipramine (Norpramin), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and imipramine (Tofranil). Tramadol can also increase drowsiness if coupled with certain cold or allergy medicines, muscle relaxers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medications, or anti-seizure medicines.

Other medications which may interfere with tramadol include carbamazepine (Tegretol), anticoagulants ("blood thinners"), certain ADHD medicines (Ritalin), lithium (Eskalith, LithoBid), antibiotics, antifungals, cancer medications, heart rhythm medications, heart or blood pressure medication, HIV/AIDS medication, or migraine medication.

Pregnancy precautions
Tramadol may cause serious or even fatal side effects in the newborn baby if the mother takes this medication during pregnancy or labor. Tramadol can also pass into breast milk and harm the nursing infant. While all of the tramadol side effects to the fetus are not known, this medication should not be taken by individuals who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or who are nursing. Tramadol should also not be given to any child who is under 16 years of age without a doctor's permission.

Side effects
Taking tramadol can lead to certain side effects, including headache, dizziness, upset stomach and constipation, sleepiness, or feelings of anxiety and nervousness. More serious side effects include seizure, shallow breathing and weak pulse, hallucinations, fast heartbeat, swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat, allergic reaction (hives), difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fainting. Tramadol use should be stopped and a doctor contacted immediately if any of the more serious side effects occur.

Other dangers
Individuals who have been addicted to alcohol or other drugs, who have attempted suicide, or who are allergic to tramadol should not take it. Individuals who are intoxicated (drunk) should not take tramadol, nor should individuals who have taken any kind of street drugs, other narcotics (including pain medication), sedatives and/or tranquilizers, medication for anxiety or depression, or medication for a mental illness (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia).

While there is a risk of seizure from taking tramadol, this risk is higher if one also has a history of drug or alcohol addiction, epilepsy, head injury, or metabolic disorder. There is also a higher risk of seizure if one is taking an antidepressant, narcotic, anti-nausea medication, or an antipsychotic.

Before choosing to purchase tramadol, other diseases that should be taken into consideration include kidney disease (especially if one is on dialysis), cirrhosis or other liver disease, stomach or digestive disorder, or a history of mental illness including depression.