Tramadol : A Brief about its Pros and Cons




About Tramadol:

Tramadol, which comes under the brand name Ultram, is a pain medication which is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. It is a wonder drug for those suffering from acute as well as chronic pain.

Tramadol was developed by a German company way back in 1962 but it got released by the US only in 1995. Now it is placed in Schedule IV of the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) because of its high risk of abuse.

How does Tramadol work?


Pain is an unruly sensation that occurs as a result of various causes of injury, severe illness, lifting heavy objects, excess physical activity and the like. We feel pain because the nerves in the affected area send signals to the brain through various receptors which act as relay stations for the nerves. Pain medications like Tramadol help in blocking out these sensations by connecting to the receptors.
The brain cannot receive any signals regarding the pain and we get relief from the pain and discomfort.

Benefits of using Tramadol:

Here are a few reasons why most doctors recommend Tramadol -

    First of all, Tramadol can treat both moderate to moderately severe pain. It is helpful in most cases relating to Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neuron Disease, Restless Leg Syndrome, etc.
    Secondly, Tramadol is a savior in both cases of acute as well as chronic pain. Along with treating pain arising from injuries, it helps in getting rid of pain associated with prolonged health conditions.
    It kicks in instantly and starts showing its effect within 1 hour after its intake.
    Tramadol can be used to help treat pain in anyone above the age of 16 years.

Disadvantages of using Tramadol:

For limited usage, Tramadol is a very effective drug which can provide instant relief to patients suffering from severe chronic pain. But nothing in this world is subject to perfection. Tramadol too has its certain demerits. These are-

    Various side effects are associated with this drug including- nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, stomach trouble, indigestion, and constipation.
    Tramadol has higher chances of dependence. It can become habit-forming if overdosed. Addiction to any drug is not a good sign.
    Tramadol, if used during pregnancy, can cause miscarriage. It leads to birth defects.
    Tramadol, if stopped abruptly, can cause withdrawal symptoms. This is a serious sign of dependence on pain medications.

Precautions while using Tramadol :

There are certain measures you can take to produce the best results without having to go through severe consequences. Like any other drug, Tramadol also requires certain precautionary measures. These are-

    Before you take Tramadol, inform your doctor about your medical history (if any) relating to cardiovascular, renal or liver related problems.
    Make sure to let your doctor know about your current medications. He/ she will prescribe accordingly so as to avoid unnecessary drug interactions.
    This medicine can cause certain allergic reactions. Read the drug-related information carefully or clarify the drug components with your doctor, so as to avoid allergies that cause skin rash, trouble breathing, face or body swelling and the like.
    Do not use this drug if you are pregnant as it can lead to miscarriages.
    It also should not be used by lactating mothers as the drug might pass into the breast milk and can have severe consequences for the baby.
    Report to your doctor immediately if you happen to come across any of these signs of overdose- troubled breathing, loss of appetite, anxiety, diarrhea, nausea, continuous shivering or trembling and irregular sleep cycle.

Conclusion:

Pain medications like Tramadol are only a part of the bigger recovery process and hence, should be taken with utmost care. Injection or infusion of Tramadol without doctor’s approval is strictly prohibited. It is an oral prescription drug that should be used in combination with proper rest and therapy. If used in compliance with the doctor’s guidelines, Tramadol can be considered to be a safe and effective medication.                  
       

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Modafinil's Mechanism of Action on Various Neurotransmitters

Cialis: Facts on this long-lasting ED pill

Waklert: A power booster to your mind