Tramadol is a relatively new analgesic drug, pain relieving drug. Tramadol is manmade drug that seems to relieve pain in much the same way is morphine by binding itself to pain receptors in the brain. There are some risk with Tramadol as there are with most drugs. The main risk with Tramadol is stomach ulceration.
Tramadol is a narcotic and like all narcotics has the potential to be abused. To help avoid this risk, patent the dosage is usually started at a lesser level and stepped up over time till high enough to provide pain relief. Dosage usually starts at 25 milligrams per day. Dosage is then increased by 25 mg per day every three days until pain relief is achieved or the total dosage reaches a maximum of 400 milligrams per day.
Tramadol also comes in larger extended relief tablets of 100 milligrams each that release the drug slowly over time. For patients who want this option, the dosage is started at one 100 milligram tablet. The dosage is then stepped up to meet needs adding one extra 100 milligram tablet to the total daily dosage every five days up to a maximum of three pills or 300 milligrams per day. It is important when taking extended relief tablets to fallow the dosage schedule, and to always swallow the pills whole and never chew or crush them.
Tramadol reacts with several other drugs and should not be taken with them. Carbamazepine based drugs reduce the effectiveness of Tramadol. Quinidine based drugs cause Tramadol to build up in your body. One of the more dangerous drugs to take with Tramadol is monoamine oxidase inhibitors and selective serotonin inhibitors which can result in seizures or serotonin syndrome.
The side affects of Tramadol are not as bad is with some other drugs and usually fade away after a being on the drug for a while. They commonly may include nausea, constipation, dizziness, headache, drowness, and vomiting. Less commonly some patents have itching, sweating, dry mouth, diarrhea, rash, visual disturbances, and vertigo. Even more rarely some patents repot seizures. Stopping Tramadol abruptly causes withdraw symptoms. Tramadol should also not be used by pregnant women or nursing mothers as its affects on them are not yet known.