Side Effects of Tramadol Pain Medication You Should Know

In 1962, a German drug company, Grünenthal GmbH, specialized in pain medications and focused on treating pain formulated tramadol. It is specifically indicated for moderate-to-severe pain. 

Since July 2014, the US FDA has classified tramadol as a class IV controlled substance due to its potential for misuse and addiction. Due to being an opioid, the side effects of tramadol pain medication can be severe and must be used as prescribed only.

What Is Tramadol?

Tramadol is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 1995 as a pain relief medication. It belongs to the class of opiate (narcotic) analgesics and works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.

Tramadol immediate-release tablets and oral solution are used as a short-term treatment to relieve severe pain in adults. It is prescribed for people who are expected to need opioid pain medication when the use of alternative pain medications cannot control pain. 

It is available under the brand names Conzip and Qdolo and as generics. It is also available in combination with acetaminophen under the brand name Ultracet and as generics.

How Does Tramadol Work On Central Nervous System?

Tramadol binds to µ-opioid receptors in the central nervous system, which reduces pain by interrupting the nerve signals between the brain and body. It also inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine (chemicals in brain), which enhances inhibitory effects on pain transmission in the spinal cord.

What Is Tramadol Used For?

Tramadol is commonly prescribed for the following conditions:

• Postoperative pain management
• Dental pain
• Management of cancer pain
• Acute musculoskeletal pain
• As an adjuvant to NSAID therapy in people with osteoarthritis

Tramadol is not approved for use in in children. However it is sometimes used off-label to treat pain in children. It is also used off-label use for premature ejaculation and refractory restless legs syndrome.

Side Effects of Tramadol Pain Medication

There are various common and severe side effects of tramadol. However, it also comes with FDA-boxed warnings. It means the use of this drug can have some severe complications and must be monitored closely.

Tramadol Boxed Warnings

Tramadol comes with FDA-boxed warnings. These are conditions in which tramadol use can be life threatening. These situations must me monitored closely and discontinue drug when needed:

Life-threatening respiratory depression

Tramadol may cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems during the first 24 to 72 hours of the treatment or when the dose is increased. Your healthcare provider will monitor you carefully during your treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have ever had:

• Slowed breathing
• Asthma
• Lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD (diseases that affect the lungs and airways). 

Addiction, abuse, and misuse

Tramadol may become habit-forming when used for a prolonged duration. Take it exactly as directed. Do not take it more often or in a way other than your healthcare provider prescribes.
Discuss your pain treatment goals, length of treatment, and other ways to manage your pain with your healthcare provider.

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome

 If you take tramadol regularly during the pregnancy, your baby may experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms after birth. Visit your baby’s healthcare provider right away if your baby experiences any of the following symptoms:

• Abnormal sleep
• Irritability
• Hyperactivity
• High-pitched cry
• Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Failure to gain weight

Accidental Ingestion

Taking the tramadol extended-release tablet or capsules, do not chew, break, divide, crush, or dissolve them. Swallow them as a whole. If you swallow broken, chewed, crushed, or dissolved extended-release preparations, it may result in too much tramadol at once instead of causing serious problems, including overdose and death.

Interactions with drugs and alcohol

Drinking alcohol, taking prescription or non-prescription medications (medicines like CNS depressants, benzodiazepines etc) that contain alcohol, or using street drugs during your treatment with tramadol may increases the risk of serious, life-threatening side effects.

People with brain tumors or intracranial pressure

Tell your healthcare provider if you have or have ever had a head injury, brain tumor, or any other health condition that increases the amount of pressure in your brain. It may increase the breathing problems in people.

Common Side Effects of Tramadol:

Tramadol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• Changes in mood
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Dry mouth
• Sleepiness
• Headache
• Nervousness
• Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body

Severe Side Effects of Tramadol

Serious adverse effects of tramadol that needs medical attention may include:

• Profound sedation
• Respiratory depression, if severe, may result in death
• Adrenal insufficiency (adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones)
• Severe hypotension (low blood pressure)
• Syncope (loss of consciousness due to a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain)
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Tramadol can reduce respiratory drive, leading to CO2 retention and exacerbating intracranial pressure. Use tramadol cautiously in people with brain tumors or intracranial pressure.

A Word

Tramadol is an effective pain killer when used as prescribed for approved health conditions. Always use this drug as prescribed to get maximum therapeutic effects and avoid side effects.