My sister-in-law's cousin died from an overdose of tramadol. I had never heard of it before. Is it more like vicodin or oxycotin?
Hi,
Drug Uses....Tramadol, Ultram, Ultracet.
Tramadol is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. It also may be used to treat pain caused by surgery and chronic conditions such as cancer or joint pain. Tramadol works by decreasing the brain's perception and response to pain. It also reduces the size or magnitude of the pain signal passed from one nerve to another. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How Taken
Tramadol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken every 4-6 hours as needed. It may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Tramadol exactly as directed. Tramadol can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to.
Warnings/Precautions
Before taking Tramadol, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; liver disease; or a history of alcohol or drug dependence. You may not be able to take Tramadol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Take care........Bob
Drug Uses....Tramadol, Ultram, Ultracet.
Tramadol is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. It also may be used to treat pain caused by surgery and chronic conditions such as cancer or joint pain. Tramadol works by decreasing the brain's perception and response to pain. It also reduces the size or magnitude of the pain signal passed from one nerve to another. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How Taken
Tramadol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken every 4-6 hours as needed. It may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Tramadol exactly as directed. Tramadol can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose take it more often, or for a longer period than your doctor tells you to.
Warnings/Precautions
Before taking Tramadol, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; liver disease; or a history of alcohol or drug dependence. You may not be able to take Tramadol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Take care........Bob
Hi Michelle, it's ultram and a deadly little pill. For some people it has the same effects as hydro. It can be dangerous due to the risk of seizure if taken in large quantities and of course od as you've seen. Many of us dabbled with it when we discovered it kept wd at bay. It's also a real pain to wd off of. Also, it's fairly useless for pain. Dr's still don't seem to realize the potential for abuse, or some don't, and prescribe it in large amounts.
I hope that helps.
Love, Kat
I hope that helps.
Love, Kat
Sorry to hear that
Before taking tramadol,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tramadol or other narcotic pain medications such as meperidine (Demerol), morphine, codeine (or medications that contain codeine such as Tylenol with Codeine), hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin), hydromorphone (e.g., Dilaudid), oxycodone (e.g., Percocet), propoxyphene (e.g., Darvon, Darvon N), any other medications, or corn.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); antihistamines; bupropion (Wellbutrin);celecoxib (Celebrex); cimetidine (Tagamet);cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril); digoxin (lanoxin); doxorubincin (Adriamycin);haloperidol (Haldol); imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin); methadone (Dolophine, Methadose); monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); medications for anxiety, mental illness, nausea, pain; medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol); metoclopramide (Reglan); nefazodone; promethazine (Phenergan); quinidine (Quinaglute; Quinidex); ranitidine (Zantac); ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); sedatives; sleeping pills; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft); ticlopidine (Ticlid); tranquilizers; tricylic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil);venlafaxine (Effexor);warfarin (Coumadin). Many other medications may also interact with tramadol, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizures, head injury, infection in your brain or nervous system, increased intracranial pressure (increased pressure within the skull), diabetes, breathing problems or lung disease, or kidney or liver disease. Also tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, use or have ever used street drugs, or have overused prescription medications.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking tramadol, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking tramadol.
you should know that this drug may make you drowsy and may affect your coordination. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. The manufacturer states that tramadol should not be taken with alcohol containing beverages.
you should know that tramadol may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up from a lying position. To avoid this, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
What should I do if I forget a dose?Return to top
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?Return to top
Tramadol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
dizziness
weakness
headache
nervousness or anxiety
agitation
shaking hands that you cannot control
increased muscle tightness
changes in mood
drowsiness
blurred vision
heartburn or indigestion
upset stomach
vomiting
diarrhea
constipation
itching
sweating
flushing
dry mouth
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
hives
rash
sores on the inside of your mouth, nose, eyes, or throat
flu-like symptoms
itching
difficulty swallowing or breathing
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
fast heartbeat
hoarseness
difficulty swallowing or breathing
changes in urination
seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
seizures
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?Return to top
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdoseReturn to top
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
confusion
vomiting
decreased size of the pupil (the black circle in the center of the eye)
difficulty breathing
extreme drowsiness
unconciousness
coma
seizure
heart attack
Before taking tramadol,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tramadol or other narcotic pain medications such as meperidine (Demerol), morphine, codeine (or medications that contain codeine such as Tylenol with Codeine), hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin), hydromorphone (e.g., Dilaudid), oxycodone (e.g., Percocet), propoxyphene (e.g., Darvon, Darvon N), any other medications, or corn.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); antihistamines; bupropion (Wellbutrin);celecoxib (Celebrex); cimetidine (Tagamet);cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril); digoxin (lanoxin); doxorubincin (Adriamycin);haloperidol (Haldol); imipenem and cilastatin (Primaxin); methadone (Dolophine, Methadose); monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); medications for anxiety, mental illness, nausea, pain; medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol); metoclopramide (Reglan); nefazodone; promethazine (Phenergan); quinidine (Quinaglute; Quinidex); ranitidine (Zantac); ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); sedatives; sleeping pills; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft); ticlopidine (Ticlid); tranquilizers; tricylic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil);venlafaxine (Effexor);warfarin (Coumadin). Many other medications may also interact with tramadol, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizures, head injury, infection in your brain or nervous system, increased intracranial pressure (increased pressure within the skull), diabetes, breathing problems or lung disease, or kidney or liver disease. Also tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, use or have ever used street drugs, or have overused prescription medications.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking tramadol, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking tramadol.
you should know that this drug may make you drowsy and may affect your coordination. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. The manufacturer states that tramadol should not be taken with alcohol containing beverages.
you should know that tramadol may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up from a lying position. To avoid this, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
What should I do if I forget a dose?Return to top
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?Return to top
Tramadol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
dizziness
weakness
headache
nervousness or anxiety
agitation
shaking hands that you cannot control
increased muscle tightness
changes in mood
drowsiness
blurred vision
heartburn or indigestion
upset stomach
vomiting
diarrhea
constipation
itching
sweating
flushing
dry mouth
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
hives
rash
sores on the inside of your mouth, nose, eyes, or throat
flu-like symptoms
itching
difficulty swallowing or breathing
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
fast heartbeat
hoarseness
difficulty swallowing or breathing
changes in urination
seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist (hallucinating)
seizures
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?Return to top
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdoseReturn to top
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
confusion
vomiting
decreased size of the pupil (the black circle in the center of the eye)
difficulty breathing
extreme drowsiness
unconciousness
coma
seizure
heart attack
"Tramadol is a quasi-narcotic analgesic used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. It is a synthetic analog of codeine, but has a low binding affinity to the mu-opioid receptors."
I am sorry Michele to hear about your sister in laws cousin......
I will keep your family in my prayers.
Take care,
Love,
Tina
I am sorry Michele to hear about your sister in laws cousin......
I will keep your family in my prayers.
Take care,
Love,
Tina
