Chronic medical conditions can cause immense pain and can severely impact the patient’s life quality. Fortunately, certain groups of drugs may help manage the pain and overcome discomfort. Tramadol is one such drug that is widely prescribed by doctors to people with severe illnesses and unbearable pain. Here’s some relevant information about its uses and dosage. Let’s begin!
What is Tramadol?
Tramadol is an oral medication used for the management of moderate to moderately severe pain. Tramadol tablets for pain are similar to opioid (narcotics) analgesics. It directs the brain to change the way a human body feels and responds to pain. Tramadol also comes as extended-release oral capsules and is released into the body slowly over time. Tramadol in both tablet and capsule form is available as a generic drug. However, these are controlled medicines and can only be used with a doctor’s close supervision.
Tramadol: how to use-
Tramadol tablets or capsules are used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain in patients with critical medical conditions. This medicine can be used as a part of combination therapy which means it can be taken with other medicines. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:
- your age
- the condition being treated
- how severe your condition is
- other medical conditions you have
- how you react to the first dose
Tramadol: how it works-
Tramadol belongs to a drug known as opioid antagonists. It is a drug that changes the way your body senses pain. Tramadol shares a similarity with endorphins in your brain. Endorphins bind to the receptors and lessen the pain messages that your body sends to your body.
Tramadol: Side effects
Just like any other drug, tramadol may have certain side effects– mild or severe. Therefore, you are advised not to drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform high-risk activities until you know how this drug affects you. Some of the common side-effects of Tramadol are as follows-
Mild side effects
- dizziness
- headache
- drowsiness
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation
- lack of energy
- sweating
- dry mouth
- itching
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away over time, consult your doctor.
Severe side effects-
- fast heart rate
- high blood pressure
- body temperature that’s higher than normal
- reflexes that are stronger than normal
- lack of coordination (control of your movements)
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- agitation
- hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real)
- coma
The takeaway
Tramadol is an opioid antagonist that effectively changes the way your body senses pain and relieves discomfort in critically sick people. However, the medicine is a controlled drug and must be taken under strict medical supervision.
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