Tramadol: How does it Work to Alleviate Pain?

For people with both acute and chronic pain, Tramadol is like the ultimate solution for instant pain relief. It is a pain relief medication which also goes by the name Ultram. It can treat moderate as well as moderately severe pain. 

Tramadol is available in immediate-release tablet/capsule form which can be used to treat breakthrough pain, and in extended- release form that can be used for chronic pain. The extended-release form is taken by those who need round-the-clock relief from pain. However, it should be taken only if prescribed by the doctor.

Safe dosage of Tramadol depends on the patient’s health condition and tolerance. Usually, a low dose is prescribed if you are using it for the first time.

Kindly note, Tramadol is a part of the overall recovery process that aids in faster recovery from body pain. Pain medications are not something that you should exclusively depend on. Sufficient rest and physical therapy are a must for quick healing of the affected area.

The Working Mechanism of Tramadol:

We feel the painful sensations because the nerves in the affected area send signals to the brain through certain chemicals called norepinephrine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are responsible for our responsiveness to pain.

Tramadol works by binding to the receptors in the brain through which these signals pass. The painful sensations get blocked out between the brain and the nerves and we are not able to perceive the pain. Since we get relieved from the discomfort, the underlying causes can be treated with the required treatment.

Guide to Tramadol Dosage:

The basic dosing instructions for Tramadol are as follows-

•    You can take the immediate release tablets in doses of 50 to 100 mg every 4 to 6 hours as required.
•    The extended-release dose can be started from 100 mg if you are using it for the first time. The maximum recommended dose for chronic pain is 300 mg
•    You can take it with or without food
•    Do not increase or decrease the dose without a prior approval of your doctor
•    Do not overdose on Tramadol as it can be habit-forming. The consequences can be quite harmful.

Possible Side Effects:

Consult your doctor immediately if you come across any side effects from taking Tramadol. The possible side effects of taking Tramadol may include the following-

•    Headaches
•    Dizziness
•    Weakness
•    Irregular heartbeat
•    Loss of sensation
•    Nausea
•    Vomiting
•    Stomach trouble
•    Indigestion

This is not a complete list of side effects as they depend on your prevailing health condition and tolerance.

Who should not take Tramadol?

•    Patients with cardiovascular dysfunction should not take Tramadol as it might lead to severe consequences like increased heart rate, chest pain or fluctuating blood pressure levels.
•    Patients with serious liver or kidney disorder also should not take Tramadol because, with poor functioning of the kidneys, the drug might not get completely eliminated from the body leading to drug accumulation. This might have an adverse impact on our body.
•    Tramadol is not recommended for use by pregnant women as it might affect an unborn baby and might lead to a miscarriage without knowing. Also, breastfeeding mothers are not supposed to take Tramadol as it might pass into the breast milk and can possibly harm the nursing baby. The mother herself might be vulnerable under those circumstances.
•    Children and young adults under the age of 16 years are strictly prohibited from using Tramadol as there are no clearly established results for its use in children
•    People under the influence of alcohol should not take this medication as alcohol might react with this drug to produce harmful effects. This medication might not work properly if you consume alcohol on a regular basis.
•    People who are allergic to certain drugs should talk to his/her doctor before starting off with this medication.