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Tramadol Side Effects
Tramadol (brand name Tramal, among others) is a painkiller that is used to manage moderate to moderately severe pain. It also acts as a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which gives it a dual mechanism that affects both pain and mood pathways. People take the immediate-release form of Tramadol by mouth and feel its effects within an hour. The drug can also be given as an injection and is sometimes manufactured in acetaminophen-combined preparations to enhance its effects. While effective for pain management, Tramadol carries a risk of side effects, some mild, others potentially life-threatening.
What are the Medical Uses of Tramadol?
Tramadol is an opioid drug that is prescribed to treat mild to severe pain, whether acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). After oral administration in its immediate-release form, Tramadol usually begins to relieve pain within an hour and reaches peak effectiveness in two to four hours.
On a dose-by-dose basis, Tramadol is about one-tenth as potent as morphine but is considered roughly equivalent in strength to pethidine (meperidine) and codeine. It may be as effective as low-dose codeine for moderate pain and comparable to high-dose hydrocodone in some cases, though it is generally less effective than morphine for severe pain.
Pain relief often lasts around six hours, but the drug’s effectiveness depends on genetics. For example, people have variations in the CYP2D6 enzyme, which is crucial for converting Tramadol into its more active form, desmetramadol, and this affects its potency.
In some cases, sleep specialists may prescribe Tramadol for refractory restless legs syndrome (RLS)—a form of RLS that does not respond well to standard treatments like dopamine agonists or gabapentinoids.
Side Effects of Tramadol
Even when people take Tramadol as prescribed, it can cause adverse effects like nausea, dizziness, constipation, and loss of appetite. The risk of adverse effects increases with misuse or high doses, and combining Tramadol with other substances, i.e., polydrug use, can be especially dangerous.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), emergency room visits involving tramadol misuse rose by approximately 250% between 2005 and 2011, highlighting growing concern about its safety.
You might notice some of these side effects when you take Tramadol:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle aches
- Fever
- Sweating
- Depression
Higher doses or combining Tramadol with other drugs can lead to severe complications like seizures, dangerously slow breathing and heart rate, loss of consciousness, coma, or death.
Serotonin syndrome is another life-threatening side effect of Tramadol. This condition is usually triggered by a person taking Tramadol alongside antidepressants or other serotonergic drugs. It manifests as:
- Nausea/vomiting
- Confusion and agitation
- Muscle rigidity/jerky movements
- Tremors
- High body temperature
- Poor coordination
- Seizures
- Coma
Who is at Higher Risk of Side Effects?
Certain people are at a higher risk of experiencing side effects from Tramadol. People with severe asthma, breathing disorders, or gastrointestinal blockages are at risk of Tramadol worsening their conditions. The likelihood of serious or fatal side effects also increases if Tramadol is used alongside alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, narcotics, or MAO inhibitors taken within the last 14 days.
Some people have a risk of seizures when they take Tramadol, particularly those with a history of epilepsy, head injury, metabolic disorders, or substance use disorders. Additional risk factors include:
- Sleep apnea
- Liver or kidney disease
- Mental health conditions
- Disorders affecting the gallbladder, pancreas, thyroid, or urinary tract
How Addictive is Tramadol?
Although Tramadol is one of the less potent opioids, it carries a risk of addiction. Many people assume that it is safe or non-addictive, but even those who take it as prescribed may develop dependence with prolonged use. If you take higher doses, use Tramadol more frequently, or mix it with other psychoactive substances, you are more likely to become addicted.
With prolonged use, the body builds a tolerance, and this often leads to escalating use, polydrug use, or even transitioning to stronger opioids or illicit substances. As the brain and body adjust to the presence of Tramadol, withdrawal symptoms, like irritability, anxiety, or restlessness, can occur if you try to stop. Many people get caught in a cycle of repeated use just to avoid these symptoms, leading to full-blown opioid use disorder.
Inspire Recovery Can Help You Overcome Tramadol Addiction
If you or a loved one is struggling with Tramadol use, you can find help from Inspire Recovery. We offer LGBTQ-affirming, evidence-based treatment for pain pill addiction, including tramadol dependence. You should not wait until the side effects become life-threatening; contact Inspire Recovery today at 561-786-2655. We will help you find healing, stability, and a drug-free life.
How long does Tramadol stay in your system?
On average, Tramadol stays in the body for about 48 hours after the last dose. The liver breaks down Tramadol, and the resulting substances are mainly excreted through the kidneys. After a 100 mg oral dose, the mean elimination rate is around 8.50 mL/min/kg. With repeated use, the half-life of Tramadol increases slightly. It takes about four to five half-lives, 20 to 40 hours, for the drug to be mostly cleared from the system. However, the exact duration varies based on your age, liver and kidney function, metabolic rate, and overall health.
Can drug tests pick up Tramadol?
Tramadol can show up in drug tests and is often included in screenings that check for opioid use. It can be detected in various samples, including urine, saliva, blood, hair, and even breath, each with different detection windows. Urine tests are the most common form, and they can detect Tramadol within 1 to 4 days after use. Blood and saliva tests have shorter windows, usually only detecting the drug for a few hours to a day. Hair tests, however, can reveal Tramadol use up to 90 to 100 days after the last dose.
How long do the side effects of Tramadol last?
How long tramadol side effects lasts depends on the person’s makeup and how long they have been using the drug. The less-severe side effects like nausea, dizziness, or drowsiness often fade within a few days as the body adjusts. However, if Tramadol is misused or taken long-term, more serious side effects, like dependence, mood changes, or seizures, can last much longer. You should contact Inspire Recovery at 561-786-2655 if you are having persistent or worsening symptoms.
Are you or is someone you know addicted to drugs?
Call Inspire Recovery today at 561-899-6088 for a free & confidential consultation.
