Tramadol side effects and contraindications are numerous, and in some cases can be dangerous. For this reason it is vital to inform your health care professional, who is prescribing the medication, about all medication you might be taking and mention underlying conditions related to your health.

While side effects are common, most are mild and subside after a few days. Like all opioids, Tramadol can be addictive. You should therefore avoid long term use unless expressly recommended by a doctor.

• Most Tramadol side effects are mild and subside
• Common side effects of Tramadol include nausea and itching
• Alcohol should be avoided when taking Tramadol
• Tramadol is addictive
• Taking too much can result in overdose

Tramadol Side Effects

Tramadol side effects are a common experience for most who use the medication, but these tend to be mild and often subside over the course of a few days as the body becomes accustomed to it. The best way to manage any possible side effects is to start on the lowest possible dosage and increase its strength until pain is manageable. In short, the lower the dosage, the less likely issues will arise. Those that do will be consequently less problematic.

• Very Common Side Effects Of Tramadol

The most likely side effects of Tramadol tend to be related to the gut, such as nausea, or a loss of appetite. Usually these issues will subside after a few days as the system becomes used to the new medication. Not all side effects are reported as unwelcomed, with a sense of euphoria often the result for those using it for the first time. It is this “High” that has led to some abuse of the Tramadol, as is the case with all opioid medications.

Another very common side effect is constipation, with some using Tramadol long term requiring laxatives to remain regular. For those using the medication short term, however, this tends to be light and is therefore rarely a noticeable issue.

Very common side effects describe symptoms that occur in around one in ten of those taking the medication. These side effects include:

• Euphoria
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Dizziness or drowsiness
• Headaches

• Common Side Effects Of Tramadol

While common side effects are more varied, they tend to occur less frequently than those mentioned above and are typically less severe in nature when they do occur. They also tend to refer to a mild discomfort rather than a serious and disturbing reaction to the medication, such as itching or a loss of appetite. Tramadol can also have a positive effect on depression in some cases, which is due to its altering of the serotonin in the body (the feel good hormone). This should be countered, however, with the possibility of raised levels of anxiety in some. Most of these symptoms will also subside within a few days, particularly sleep related problems such as insomnia.

As mentioned above, most of these symptoms can be easily avoided by erring on the side of caution regarding dosage. If the pain is not so acute as to require immediate relief, a trial and error method of administration, starting from the lowest possible dosage, should be enough to avoid almost all side effects in most. Unfortunately there is no other method of managing these symptoms other than to follow instructions to the letter.

Common side effects refers to a rate of occurrence of less than one in ten patients, and include:

• Vomiting
• Tiredness and physical fatigue
• Anxiety
• Dryness of mouth
• Diarrhea
• Stomach aches
• Bloatedness
• Excess sweating,/li>
• Shivers
• Fever
• Heartburn
• Loss of appetite
• Itching
• Urinary retention
• Mood swings
• Muscle pains and weakness
• Pain in several joints
• Rashes
• Insomnia
• Runny or blocked up nose

• Uncommon Side Effects Of Tramadol

Due to Tramadol’s effects on the central nervous system, there are some cases of severe side effects and allergic reaction when using Tramadol. These are extremely uncommon and the vast majority of those using the medication will not experience these issues at any level. Although even the more serious appearing symptoms are generally harmless, if you do experience any of them at a highly discomforting level you should seek immediate help as this could be a life threatening reaction to the medication.

Uncommon or rare symptoms are those that occur in less than one in a thousand/ten thousand cases. Possible serious symptoms include:

• Palpitations
• Liver enzyme increases
• High blood pressure
• Weight loss
• Problems breathing
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• Hallucinations
• Painful urinary retention
• Addiction and withdrawal symptoms
• Severe allergic symptoms such as blistering, swelling and intense itching
• Kidney problems, such as blood in the urine
• Disorientation
• Chest tightness

Less serious, but still problematic symptoms that are very rare include:

• Pins and needles
• Muscle twitching
• Intense nightmares
• Blurred vision
• Back pain
• Sexual dysfunction, such as loss of libido or erectile dysfunction
• Wind
• Hot flushes
• Hoarseness or loss of voice
• Tender sinuses
• Incontinence

Should any of these symptoms persist, even if mild, you should talk to a doctor as soon as possible.

• Post Tramadol

It is extremely important that you do not suddenly discontinue taking Tramadol if using it for a significant amount of time as this can cause many severe and unpleasant side effects. Your doctor should be able to wean you off it so as to avoid the worst of any discontinuation effects.

As Tramadol is an addictive medication, you may experience problems of withdrawal if you have been taking it for a significant amount of time. If you believe you are having withdrawal symptoms due to physical or mental addiction, you should seek help immediately.

Discontinuation or withdrawal symptoms include:

• Mood swings
• Electric shock sensations in the body and brain
• Insomnia
• Liver and kidney pains
• Cold sweats
• Shivering and tremors
• Depression
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation or diarhea
• Hallucinations
• Intense nightmares
• Intense headaches
• Rapid weight loss

Symptoms of withdrawal tend to last longer and alter over time. While it might not seem it, these symptoms are a sign that the body is finding its equilibrium again. These include:

• Muscle cramps
• Stomach cramps
• Chills and goosebumps
• Continued nausea

Overdose (Lethal Dose) Of Tramadol

Tramadol is one of the safest opioid medications available, with lower addiction rates than morphine and less chance of an overdose occurring. This is not to say that it isn’t that the risks are not highly dangerous should you not follow the instructions properly.

There are a few ways in which a Tramadol overdose can be fatal, and it isn’t necessarily because of high toxicity. In fact Tramadol is not comparatively toxic compared to many painkillers.

The main cause of death is from its effects on the central nervous system, the very thing that makes it a highly effective painkiller. When taking too much Tramadol, breathing begins to slow, at dangerous levels it stops altogether. The risk from this is increased when Tramadol is mixed with some medications or even alcohol.

Particularly high levels of Tramadol can also cause a life threatening seizure. This is due to the effect it has on the level of serotonin on the body. In these cases it is a result of toxicity in the body or a heart attack event that causes death.

If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on Tramadol, you should call the emergency services immediately. The sooner medical treatment is received, the higher the chances of a full recovery.

Symptoms of overdose or lethal dose include:

• Shallow breathing or a loss of breath entirely
• Loss of consciousness
• becoming comatosed
• Violent vomotting, even while unconscious
• Lips and fingernails turning blue
• Death

Contraindications Of Tramadol

Contraindications regarding Tramadol come in two forms. These are underlying conditions that make the medication unsuitable (Absolute), and separate medications that should not be mixed with Tramadol unless specifically approved by a doctor (Relative).

It is highly important that you tell your prescriber about all health conditions you suffer from, no matter how insignificant you feel they are, and of any medications you are taking. As Tramadol reacts so potently on the central nervous system, even the most seemingly innocuous information regarding these two areas are vital for a doctor to know.

• Absolute Contraindications (Underlying Conditions)

The most common underlying conditions that make Tramadol unsuitable are umbrella terms and not all health issues related to these prohibit Tramadol use.

Absolute Contraindications of Tramadol include:

• A history of addiction (particularly related to alcohol or opiates)
• Liver or kidney disease
• Frequent or occasional seizures
• Suicidal thoughts or depression
• Respiratory disease
• Certain bowel and stomach diseases and syndromes
• Mental illness

• Relative Contraindications (Problematic Drug Interactions)

The list of specific drug interactions with Tramadol that are problematic is a long one, but almost all relate to specific actions of the medication. These include the modifying of serotonin levels in the body, the depressive effects it has on breathing and the amplifying consequence of other opiate based medications.

Relative contraindications of Tramadol include:

• Mao and SSRI anti-depressants – such as Prozac and Nardil
• All opioid medications – such as Morphine and Hydrocodone
• Alcohol
• Anti-anxiety medications – auch as Lithium or St Johns Wart
• Sleeping Pills
• Blood thinners – such as Warfarin

There are some concerns about other medications that could have an adverse effect on either Tramadol’s effectiveness or the body. These include:

• Some HIV medications
• Some cancer treatments – such as Gleevac
• Some heart medications – such as Propafenone

• Tramadol And Alcohol

Alcohol should always be avoided when taking Tramadol. In fact all opioids should not be mixed with it, even if levels are low. That is not to say that once in the system that alcohol and Tramadol cause instant death, but the heightened risk of overdose and powerful combined effects of the drugs can be highly dangerous. They also have an adverse effect on the liver, heart and kidneys.

One of the main issues with interactions between the two is the effect they have on the central nervous system. As both slow it down considerably, this can lead to a loss of consciousness and slowing of the breath to dangerous levels.

Such a depressant combination does not only run the risk of death, however. The following symptoms are directly related to mixing the two:

• Depression
• Mood swings
• Headaches
• Disorientation and drowsiness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Liver damage
• Kidney damage
• Alcohol poisoning
• Gut problems including intense pain
• Seizures

FAQs

As each individual is unique in their reaction to any medication, careful monitoring of your symptoms relating to Tramadol is essential. This should be done by a professional health care provider.

• Addiction – How long before it occurs?

Any substance that causes a euphoric reaction, such as Tramadol does, can lead to addiction if not properly managed. This is due to the release of Dopamine and the consequent reward system that taking opioids can create.

Unless you are taking Tramadol over a prolonged period of time, however, addiction should not be an issue. If your pain is chronic and severe enough to warrant prolonged use, a doctor can minimise your risk by keeping dosage strengths at a minimum or prescribing a non-opioid painkiller should any changes in your condition occur.

• Nausea – How Do I Manage It?

While not all that take Tramadol will experience nausea, it is one of the more common symptoms. Unfortunately there is no known method of managing nausea, some prefer to take it with food and others without for example, but it will typically subside as the body gets used to the medication.

Sources:

• https://www.medicines.org.uk/
• http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4398-5239/tramadol-oral/tramadol—oral/details#side-effects
• https://www.drugs.com/sfx/tramadol-side-effects.html
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20367390
• http://www.projectknow.com/research/tramadol-overdose/
• https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/tramadol.html
• http://www.drugsdb.com/rx/tramadol/tramadol-drug-interactions/
• http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4398-5239/tramadol-oral/tramadol—oral/details/list-interaction-medication
• http://www.tramadolfacts.com/tramadol-and-alcohol/