Tramadol Dosage
Tramadol dosage is a controlled substance used to treat pain. It’s an opioid agonist medication available in tablet or capsule form. It works by changing how your brain perceives pain.
This drug has boxed warnings from the FDA about possible dangerous effects.tramadol dosage
This drug has boxed warnings for the following risks. These are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Boxed warnings alert doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.Tramadol 50 mg,tramadol uk,buy tramadol,buy tramadol online,tramadol tablet
- Addiction, abuse, and misuse: Tramadol can lead to opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can result in overdose and death. To help avoid these problems, take this drug exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you have any concerns about this warning, talk with your doctor.Tramadol bnf
- Slowed or stopped breathing: This drug can slow or stop your breathing. If this isn’t treated immediately, it can cause death. This risk is highest within 3 days of starting the drug or increasing your dosage.
- Accidental ingestion: If anyone, especially children, takes a dose of this drug by accident, even once, it can cause death. This drug should be stored out of the reach of children.
- Life threatening effects for children: In some cases, children’s bodies can process this drug too quickly. This can lead to slowed breathing and death. This drug should not be used in children younger than 12 years of age. It should also not be used in children younger than 18 years of age who have certain risk factors, or who have just had a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy.
- Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome: If you use this medication for a long time while you’re pregnant, it can cause withdrawal in a newborn. Withdrawal in a newborn can lead to death. Symptoms of withdrawal can include irritability, hyperactivity, unusual sleep patterns, and a high-pitched cry. They can also include tremor, vomiting, diarrhea, and failure to gain weight.
- Interactions with certain drugs: Taking tramadol with certain drugs can cause varied, serious effects, which can be life threatening. These effects include increased tramadol levels, possibly leading to seizures and serotonin syndrome. They also include reduced effectiveness of tramadol and opioid withdrawal symptoms. The drugs that can cause these effects include amiodarone, quinidine, erythromycin, ketoconazole, ritonavir, and similar medications.
- Interactions with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants: Taking tramadol with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, may cause serious side effects. These effects include severe fatigue, slowed breathing, coma, and death.
- Opioid Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS): Because of this drug’s risk of abuse and addiction, the FDA requires that the drug’s manufacturer provide a REMS program. Under the requirements of this REMS program, the drug manufacturer must develop educational programs regarding the safe and effective use of opioids for your doctor.
- Tramadol oral tablet is available as both a generic and a brand-name drug. Brand name: Ultram.
- Tramadol oral tablets come in both immediate-release and extended-release forms. Tramadol also comes as an oral capsule.
- Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Tramadol oral tablet is a prescription drug that’s available as an immediate-release and extended-release tablet. Tramadol also comes as an extended-release oral capsule. Immediate-release drugs are released into the body right away. Extended-release drugs are released into the body slowly over time.
Both tramadol oral tablets are also available as generic drugs. The immediate-release tablet is also available as the brand-name drug Ultram. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.
Tramadol is a controlled substance. This means it can only be used with a doctor’s close supervision. These types of drugs require a doctor’s close supervision based on their medical use in treatment, potential for misuse, and potential for dependence if misused.
Why it’s used
Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Tramadol may be used as part of a combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.
How it works
Tramadol belongs to a class of drugs called opioid agonists. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
Tramadol works by changing how your brain senses pain. Tramadol is similar to substances in your brain called endorphins. Endorphins bind to receptors (parts of cells that receive a certain substance). The receptors then decrease the pain messages your body sends to your brain. Tramadol works in a similar way to decrease the amount of pain your brain thinks you’re having.
Tramadol oral tablet may cause drowsiness. You should not drive, use heavy machinery, or perform any dangerous activities until you know how this drug affects you. Tramadol may also cause other side effects.
More common side effects
The more common side effects of tramadol can include:
- 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, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
- Serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include:
- 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
- Serious breathing problems. Symptoms can include:
- slowed breathing rate
- very shallow breathing (little chest movement with breathing)
- fainting, dizziness, or confusion
- Physical dependence and withdrawal when stopping the drug. Symptoms can include:
- feeling irritable, anxious, or restless
- trouble sleeping
- increased blood pressure
- fast breathing rate
- fast heart rate
- dilated (large) pupils
- teary eyes
- runny nose
- yawning
- nausea, vomiting, and a loss of appetite
- diarrhea and stomach cramps
- sweating
- chills
- muscle aches, back pain, or joint pain
- Adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms can include:
- long-lasting tiredness
- muscle weakness
- pain in your abdomen
- Androgen deficiency. Symptoms can include:
- tiredness
- trouble sleeping
- decreased energy
- Seizures
- Addiction or misuse of this drug
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare professional who knows your medical history.
Tramadol oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.
To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with tramadol are listed below.
Drugs you should not use with tramadol
Do not take these drugs with tramadol. Doing so can cause dangerous effects in the body. Examples of these drugs include:
- Carbamazepine. Taking this medication with tramadol may make tramadol less effective in relieving your pain. It also decreases the amount of tramadol in your body and increases your risk of seizures.
Interactions that increase your risk of side effects from other drugs
Taking tramadol with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from those drugs. This is because the amount of those drugs in your body may be increased. Examples of these drugs include:
- Depression drugs, such as sertraline, fluoxetine, paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, duloxetine, or venlafaxine
- You may have increased levels of serotonin (a hormone in your body). This can cause a condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include feeling agitated or restless, a fast heartbeat, increased body temperature, nausea, or vomiting.
- If you take one of these drugs with tramadol, your doctor may monitor you more often and adjust your dosage of the drug as needed.
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or selegiline
- You may have increased levels of serotonin (a hormone in your body). This can cause a condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include feeling agitated or restless, a fast heartbeat, increased body temperature, nausea, or vomiting.
- If you take one of these drugs with tramadol, your doctor may monitor you more often and adjust your dosage of the drug as needed.
- Linezolid
- You may have increased levels of serotonin (a hormone in your body). This can cause a condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include feeling agitated or restless, a fast heartbeat, increased body temperature, nausea, or vomiting.
- If you take this drug with tramadol, your doctor may monitor you more often. They may also adjust your dosage of tramadol as needed.
- Lithium
- You may have increased levels of serotonin (a hormone in your body). This can cause a condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include feeling agitated or restless, a fast heartbeat, increased body temperature, nausea, or vomiting.
- If you take this drug with tramadol, your doctor may monitor you more often. If you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, your doctor may switch you to a different drug that doesn’t interact with tramadol.
- St. John’s wort
- You may have increased levels of serotonin (a hormone in your body). This can cause a condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include feeling agitated or restless, a fast heartbeat, increased body temperature, nausea, or vomiting.
- If you take this drug with tramadol, your doctor may monitor you more often and adjust your dosage of St. John’s wort as needed.
- Headache drugs, such as sumatriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan
- You may have increased levels of serotonin (a hormone in your body). This can cause a condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include feeling agitated or restless, a fast heartbeat, increased body temperature, nausea, or vomiting.
- If you take one of these drugs with tramadol, your doctor may monitor you more often and adjust your dosage of the drug as needed.
- Hypnotics, such as zolpidem
- You may have slowed breathing, decreased blood pressure, a decreased heart rate, or confusion.
- If you take one of these drugs, talk with your doctor about whether tramadol is safe for you. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of the hypnotic for you.
- Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, or lorazepam
- You will be at increased risk of confusion, slowed or stopped breathing, decreased blood pressure, a decreased heart rate, coma, or death.
- If you take one of these drugs, talk with your doctor about whether tramadol is safe for you. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of the benzodiazepine drug for you.
- Anti-psychotic drugs, such as chlorpromazine or thioridazine
- You may have slowed breathing, decreased blood pressure, a decreased heart rate, or confusion.
- If you take one of these drugs, talk with your doctor about whether tramadol is safe for you. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of the antipsychotic drug for you.
- Anesthesia drugs, such as succinylcholine, pentothal, or propofol
- You may have slowed breathing, decreased blood pressure, a decreased heart rate, or confusion.
- If you take one of these drugs, talk with your doctor about whether tramadol is safe for you. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of the anesthesia drug for you.
- Opioid drugs for pain, such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, or morphine
- You will be at increased risk of confusion, slowed or stopped breathing, decreased blood pressure, a decreased heart rate, coma, or death.
- If you take one of these drugs, talk with your doctor about whether tramadol is safe for you. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of either tramadol or the other opioid drug.
- Digoxin
- If you take this drug with tramadol, your doctor may monitor the amount of digoxin in your body.
- Warfarin
- If you take this drug with tramadol, your doctor may monitor the amount of warfarin in your body and your INR (international normalized ratio) more often. They may also adjust your warfarin dosage as needed.
Interactions that increase your risk of side effects from tramadol
If you use tramadol with certain drugs, you may have more side effects. This is because the amount of tramadol in your body may be increased.
If you take one of these drugs with tramadol, your doctor may monitor you more often. They may also adjust your tramadol dosage as needed. Examples of these drugs include:
- Antibiotics, such as erythromycin
- Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline
- Antifungal drugs, such as voriconazole or ketoconazole
- Heart rhythm drugs, such as quinidine
- Protease inhibitors, such as ritonavir, atazanavir, or darunavir
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare professional about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.
This dosage information is for tramadol oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. 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
Forms and strengths
Generic: Tramadol
- Form: immediate-release oral tablet
- Strength: 50 mg, 100 mg
- Form: extended-release oral tablet
- Strengths: 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg
Brand: Ultram
- Form: immediate-release oral tablet
- Strength: 50 mg
Dosage for moderate to severe pain
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
Immediate-release tablet:
- Typical daily dosage: Total daily dosage may be increased by 50 mg as tolerated every 3 days to reach 200 mg/day (50 mg 4 times a day).
- Maintenance dosage: 50–100 mg every 4–6 hours as needed.
- Maximum dosage: 400 mg per day.
Extended-release tablet:
- If you’re not currently taking tramadol immediate-release tablets:
- Typical starting dosage: 100 mg once per day.
- Dosage increases: Your doctor may slowly increase your dose by 100 mg every 5 days.
- Maximum dosage: 300 mg per day.
- If you’re currently taking tramadol immediate-release tablets:
- Typical starting dosage: Your doctor will determine your new dosage based on your previous immediate-release dosage.
- Maximum dosage: 300 mg per day.
Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)
Immediate-release tablet:
- Child dosage (age 17 years):
- Typical daily dosage: Total daily dosage may be increased by 50 mg as tolerated every 3 days to reach 200 mg/day (50 mg 4 times a day).
- Maintenance dosage: 50–100 mg every 4–6 hours as needed.
- Maximum dosage: 400 mg per day.
- Child dosage (ages 0–16 years):
- It’s not known if this form of tramadol is safe and effective for children younger than 17 years old. It should not be used in children of this age group.
Extended-release tablet:
- Child dosage (ages 0–17 years):
- It’s not known if these forms of tramadol are safe and effective for children. They should not be used in people younger than 18 years.