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.
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