WHAT IS TRAMADOL AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

 

In 1962, a German pharmaceutical company- Grunenthal, was the first to synthesize tramadol as a painkiller. 10 years later, in 1972, patents were taken out and finally, tramadol was brought to market in 1977.

Tramadol has a potency of around 10% of the Morphine. It was recognized as a painkiller to treat moderate to severe pain in adults.

Like Morphine, Tramadol also works in the CNS (Central Nervous System). So, it is also known as a ‘narcotic pain reliever’. There are mu-opioid receptors in the brain and other parts of the body which are like messengers that carry pleasure and pain messages from other parts of the body to the brain.

Tramadol binds itself with these receptors and stops the neurotransmitter messenger molecules norepinephrine and serotonin to pass through. This makes the patient less conscious of the pain. Hence, it is used to treat moderate to severe and unbearable pain.

As for all medications, tramadol also has its mild to severe side effects. It may arise from interaction with other medications or previous medical history. Depending on the patient’s conditions, there could be some common side effects or hazardous ones. So, it is advised to consult a doctor and make him aware of the patient’s current and previous conditions to monitor him well and decide if the cause of the problem is bigger or the side effects. And, he will treat the patient suitably.

Let’s look at these problems one by one.

SOME COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

Listed below are some commonly observed side effects of consuming tramadol. It could be mild and go away within a week. If the problem persists, you should consult a doctor.

HeadacheDrowsiness or sleepinessConstipationDizzinessChest pain or discomfortLoss of memoryDiscouragement

RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERACTION OF OTHER MEDICATIONS OR ALCOHOL

Tramadol tends to interact with many other substances. Those substances could be from an outer source like medications and alcohol or arise from some physical conditions like pregnancy. Fatal effects (even death in most cases) are reported when tramadol was consumed by patients who had medical history and alcohol consumption. A patient should not hide anything and must provide clear information to a doctor about the following things:

Any current or past alcohol abuseEpilepsy or history of seizuresHead injuriesHistory of depressionPregnancySuicidal thoughtsKidney ProblemsAny current or past drug interactions

THREATENING HEALTH RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH TRAMADOL

If not treated properly, tramadol could lead to life-threatening risks and even death as were reported in the past. Listed below are some commonly found problems that were a byproduct of not consuming tramadol as advised.

It is the most commonly observed problem associated with tramadol. Although seizures can occur in people taking the recommended dose, they are more likely to be found in those who have taken high doses of tramadol or combined them with other medication. This is one of the factors that could lead to seizures. Other factors include epilepsy, seizure history, head injuries, alcohol or drug withdrawal, infections in Central Nervous System, etc.

 

Serotonin syndrome

Tramadol can cause an increase in the levels of serotonin. This condition is called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms include high fever, stiffness in muscles, confusion, and shivering that go away when medication is stopped. One should immediately call a doctor for an emergency if one observes such symptoms.

 

Breathing Problems

People suffering from asthma or any other lung problems may be advised to avoid tramadol. Tramadol can cause slow and shallow breathing due to respiratory depression. Hazardous problems are observed when drinking more alcohol or consuming other drugs. This is one of the most common problems in adults with tramadol.

Potential for addiction

Tramadol being the “narcotic pain-reliever “, forms a potential for a patient to get addicted to it. Some patients may find an increase in an urge to consume tramadol more and more which may cause an overdose.

SOME IMPORTANT GUIDELINES TO TAKE TRAMADOL

Associated with numerous life-threatening side effects that arise out of many present and previous factors, it is advised to take tramadol as per the guidelines given by a doctor. A doctor can only prescribe a maximum of five refills and a new prescription is required every 6 months.

Despite being accepted widely in medical care, tramadol is very tightly regulated for having adverse and a lot of side effects. It is illegal to sell in many countries. One can sell and buy tramadol from FDA-approved websites. So, tramadol requires a prescription to buy. A doctor can monitor a patient’s current conditions and determines the amount of dosage according to age, medical history, and patient’s response to treatment.

 

 

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