About Tramadol

Tramadol is an opioid, sometimes referred to as an opiate or narcotic, medication that is derived from the poppy. It is mostly used as a painkilling medication and is generally better tolerated, and safer, than most other opium based medications. The active ingredient is Tramadol Hydrochloride (HCL), which works as all opioid medications do by inhibiting pain signals from reaching the brain. Due to its fast acting effects, it is suitable for acute pain from trauma injuries.

Tramadol can be prescribed for various ailments that cause no physical pain, such as restless leg syndrome and depression. As with all opiates, Tramadol can cause many side effects and should be taken with care to reduce issues over both the long and short term. Overdoses of Tramadol can be fatal. Long term use is not recommended unless specified by a professional health care practitioner due to possible addiction.

• Fast Acting Painkiller
• Opioid/Opiate Medication
• Active Ingredient Is Tramadol Hydrochloride
• Can Be Used for Other Non-Pain Related Conditions
• Is A Controlled Substance
• Should Be Taken As Instructed

Origins Of Tramadol

Tramadol’s origins go back to 1962 and its invention in Western Germany, but it took another 15 years before it was approved and marketed by Grünenthal GmbH in 1977. It is therefore a relatively new drug when compared to other opiate-based painkillers. In the last 10 years, the use of Tramadol has greatly increased in Europe and the United States, making it one of the most widely prescribed medications of its kind.

Classification

Tramadol is an opioid, which is a group of medications derived from the poppy plant (Opium). Opiates have been used as a painkilling medication for many centuries. Unlike other forms of opiates, such as Morphine, Tramadol is an entirely synthetic medication of the benzoid class. They are sometimes also referred to as narcotics and are a controlled substance in most countries where it is sold.

Tramadol is marketed under several names, with almost 200 brands available around the globe. In the UK these include:

• Marol
• Maxitram
• Tilodol
• Mabron
• Tramadol Retard
• Nobligan
• Tradolan</li<
• Tramquil
• Zamadol
• Zydol
• Actavis

While the active ingredient, Tramadol Hydrochloride (HCL) is present in all forms of Tramadol, the strength, form and use of the medication can vary enormously.

• Tramadol Hydrochloride (HCL) The Active Ingredient

Tramadol Hydrochloride is the main active ingredient in all Tramadol products. This is important to know as there are various strengths, forms and combinations of HCL with other medications available. It is vital that Tramadol Hydrochloride is not mixed with other opioid substances unless specifically prescribed by a healthcare professional, as this increases the risk of side effects and even overdose.

How Tramadol Works

Tramadol works by altering the manner in which the brain interprets pain signals from the body. By inhibiting norepinephrine and serotonin and activating receptors in the brain that act on opiates, it prevents pain from being communicated to the brain. As serotonin is a feel good hormone, this in turn can lead to a pleasurable experience that has lead to drug abuse being an issue, as is the case with all opioid substances.

Tramadol can have many other effects on the body, which is why it can be used effectively to treat conditions as various as restless leg syndrome and depression. Although it is not exactly known why Tramadol is so successful for some and not others, that it so consequential to the central nervous system is thought to be at the heart of its many beneficial effects.

• Speed And Longevity Of Tramadol

The longevity of the effects of Tramadol will depend on how the medication is administered and the form of the medication. Some capsules, for example, are for immediate release, while others stay in the system for longer periods releasing the active ingredient over a prolonged period of time.

Tramadol is a fast acting painkiller. Typically it will reach its full level of effectiveness after 1 to 2 hours. For the sustained release versions of the medication, it can last for up to 24 hours, but these tend to be stronger versions. For the normal capsules Tramadol has a half-life of around 6 hours, which means if the pain is ongoing, it will need to be topped up accordingly.

There are some forms of Tramadol that come with other pain relieving medications combined. Ibuprofen is thought to enhance its effects without causing further side effects. Although it is not entirely known why this is the case, many have noticed an marked improvement than when using Tramadol alone.

• Other Opioids

Tramadol is by no means the only opioid or narcotic painkilling medication, and is in fact a relatively new one. Hydrocodone is another popular synthetic form of morphine, which is sometimes prescribed for those who have problems tolerating the effects that Tramadol has on the body. Another similar medication is Oxycodone. Tramadol, however, is generally better tolerated than most other opioids and comes with fewer risks.

Other opioid medications include:

• Pethidine
• Codeine
• Methadone
• Dihydrocodone
• Fentanyl
• Oxycodone
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphine
• Buprenorphine

Why Side Effects Occur

As with all medications, how Tramadol reacts with each individual is difficult to predict. There are some pre-existing conditions and drug interactions that make opioids as a whole inappropriate for many, but this does not guarantee the safety of its use with those who do not fall into these categories.

Contrary to popular belief, opioids are not toxic substances to the body in the way many other painkilling medications are. They are, however, highly addictive and come with various side effects, mainly due to their powerful influence on the central nervous system. Some of these side effects can be fatal if the instructions for use are not properly followed.

Tolerance build-up of Tramadol can cause many issues in long term use, which can also lead to its painkilling properties becoming less effective. Addiction can then develop into a serious problem, with side effects ranging from severe constipation to hormone imbalances.

• Why Addiction Occurs

Addiction is essentially the appearance of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms once a substance is discontinued, and can be a real issue regarding narcotics of all types. Brain abnormalities are central to opiate addiction, with powerful euphoric reward hormones, such as Dopamine, released whenever the substance is taken. Over time this leads to changes in the way the brain works, meaning that withdrawal symptoms are the brain desperately trying to find balance again.

• Why Overdose Occurs

While overdose is highly unlikely as long as you follow the instructions given to you by your healthcare provider, the fact remains that Tramadol can cause fatalities and anyone taking the medication should be aware of the risks.

But why does overdose occur? Typically death is not the result of toxic shock, except in extreme cases, rather it is the result of the opiate on the central nervous system.

As Tramadol takes effect on the central nervous system, breathing is slowed, when too much is taken, this can lead to the respiratory system failing altogether. Seizures, sometimes violent, are another risk from overdosing on Tramadol, which is a result of the drugs effects on the levels of serotonin in the body. It should be noted that Tramadol is one if the safest opioid based medications available.

Legality

Tramadol is a controlled substance in the UK, which means it is illegal to buy and sell it without prescription. It is also illegal to give it away to friends, no matter how small the dosage. This change in the law regarding Tramadol was implemented in June 2014 as recreational use of the medication grew. Although unlikely, supplying Tramadol as a recreational drug can lead to up to 14 years in prison, while possession carries a maximum sentence of 2 years plus a large fine. While most minor cases will end up in little more than a caution, as with all controlled substances, the risks are huge when it comes to illegal Tramadol use.

FAQs

Tramadol is generally well tolerated as a powerful painkiller, but use should be monitored by your doctor at all times.

• Can I Drink While Taking Tramadol

Tramadol, like alcohol, suppresses the respiratory system. This means that an overdose is much more likely when the two are mixed. In fact there are many risks with other medications, including some anti-depressants that effect serotonin levels which can lead to seizures, so it is essential that you inform your prescriber of all medications you are currently taking and avoid alcohol at all times when Tramadol is present in your system.

• I Have Chronic Pain. Can I use Tramadol Long Term?

Due to the risks of addiction and tolerance build up, it is generally not recommended that you take Tramadol over a prolonged period. However, if your pain is severe enough to warrant it, a doctor may decide that a well-monitored prescription over a longer period is necessary. This will depend on a case-by-case basis and the level of pain you are experiencing. You should be aware that non-opiate based painkillers are a better option in the long term if effective enough.

Sources:

• http://drugabuse.com/library/tramadol-history-and-statistics/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramadol
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opioid
• http://www.medindia.net/drug-price/tramadol.htm
• https://www.drugs.com/ingredient/tramadol.html
• https://patient.info/medicine/tramadol-for-pain-relief-mabron-tilodol-zamadol
• https://patient.info/health/strong-painkillers-opioids
• http://prescription-drug.addictionblog.org/how-does-tramadol-work/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851054/
• http://prescription-drug.addictionblog.org/how-much-tramadol-is-too-much/
• http://www.drugwise.org.uk/what-are-the-uk-drug-laws/
• http://www.mims.co.uk/tramadol-reclassified-controlled-drug/surgery/article/1297952
• http://www.talktofrank.com/drug/tramadol