then you could be at risk
Ive just been prescribed Tramadol 50mg as a pain killer for my own going pain from whiplash. Ive been alerted that these tablets can be addictive and
care should be exercised taking them. Im really cautious about tablets. Can anyone confirm if they are OK or should i be wary?
Ive been told to take 1 or 2 tablets 4 times a day when needed. Im planning on trying 1 tablet 3 times a day initially and topping up with paracetamol
(i was told taking paracetamol is OK).
do you gamble alot? addicted to bingo?
then you could be at risk
I've been taking them for a few months without problems
Cheers
Chris
I have taken tramadol not addicted, its like anything if you start to rely on them then they will be needed that is why the doc has prescribed as and when required. It is sometimes important that you do actually feel the pain as the painkillers will give you a false sense of well being . Best to take only when needed when I first took them I felt as though I was floating I usually take codeine based or Tylex for my back problem the Tramadol is a step up.
quote:
Originally posted by chrisg
I've been taking them for a few months without problems
just go with what the doctor said...i think they can be addictive, a girl at college od'd on them, was hallucinating and everything...
quote:
Originally posted by A1
i think they can be addictive, a girl at college od'd on them, was hallucinating and everything...
With respect to everybody on here - isn't your doctor likely to be more expert than us ? Why go to doctor and then ignore his advice?
I would suggest don't mix them (topping up with ... )
Probably most important instruction is "when needed"
My wife has been taking tramadol for a few months now, she also was concerned about any side effects and doesnt take the full prescribed dosage. She
takes one every morning with breakfast and another in the evening if needed.
She was advised that they can reduce your appetite for food which is probably fantastic news for chrisg 
Ignore doctors - they know sod all about drugs. Talk to your pharmacist - they know everything (in theory) about drugs.
I do this for a living.
Now, tramadol, its 50mg which is the weakest formulation (the others 100 and 150).
I was going to type out lots of stuff about do and don't - but yoru best bet is to just google it. Try going for the BNF (not sure if you'll
have access).
But - avoid alcohol, may cause drowsiness, may cause dependence (not sure without looking up more over what time), potential for withdrawl. I think
the dependance is long term - but as i said i haven't looked up, just quickly referenced the software we write for pharmacy. Honestly the
information will be on teh web.
In fact, here you go - its good enough for what you want,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tramadol
This is a fairly low dose analgesia when used in oral format. It can be used IM or IV as an alternative to Morphine and this is where you are more likely to see adverse effects.
Take them as prescribed i.e. 1-2 tablets four times a day, when required. Only take them when you find that your regular analgesia i.e. paracetamol
isnt sufficient to control your pain. Yes, one of the side-effects can be dependence, but for the condition you are prescribed them, you are not going
to be on them long enough for that to occur. I've taken them myself for back and tooth pain and I'm not addicted to them.
The more common side-effects you should note are: increased drowsiness (especially with alcohol), some people complain of hallucinations or feeling
zonked out, constipation (though this is likely than codeine).
If you are still concerned, drop me a U2U - i'm a pharmacist.
[Edited on 24/10/08 by mads]
Tramadol is an opiod (an opiate)- that is why its addictive, what else do you know is an opiod/opiate -->Heroin!
this may help
Mechanism of action
The mode of action of tramadol has yet to be fully understood, but it is believed to work through modulation of the noradrenergic and serotonergic
systems in addition to its mild agonism of the μ-opioid receptor. The contribution of non-opioid activity is demonstrated by the analgesic
effects of tramadol not being fully antagonised by the μ-opioid receptor antagonist naloxone.
Tramadol is marketed as a racemic mixture with a weak affinity for the μ-opioid receptor (approximately 1/6000th that of morphine; Gutstein
& Akil, 2006). The (+)-enantiomer is approximately four times more potent than the (-)-enantiomer in terms of μ-opioid receptor affinity
and 5-HT reuptake, whereas the (-)-enantiomer is responsible for noradrenaline reuptake effects (Shipton, 2000). These actions appear to produce a
synergistic analgesic effect, with (+)-tramadol exhibiting 10-fold higher analgesic activity than (-)-tramadol (Goeringer et al., 1997).
The serotonergic modulating properties of tramadol mean that it has the potential to interact with other serotonergic agents. There is an increased
risk of serotonin syndrome when tramadol is taken in combination with serotonin reuptake inhibitors (e.g. SSRIs) or with use of a light box, since
these agents not only potentiate the effect of 5-HT but also inhibit tramadol metabolism. Tramadol is also thought to have some NMDA-type antagonist
effects which has given it a potential application in neuropathic pain states.
i take them for knee pain as required no problems with them at all been on them on and off for 2 years now no problems when the dosage ends
i think like most things its down to the person tho as mentioned befor i dont think there will be a problem short term
[Edited on 24/10/08 by 24vseven]
quote:
Originally posted by Paul TigerB6
quote:
Originally posted by A1
i think they can be addictive, a girl at college od'd on them, was hallucinating and everything...
Darren, you should take them then....... you never know, your Pinto engine might start to perform like a bike engine!!
Thanks for replies. I wasnt asking ref if i have been prescribed correctly, more that i want to know if there are any isues with taking them.
My mother in law was prescribed them recently. She works in Boots and knows the pharmacists, they told her to be careul with them and mentioned that
druggies like them. Iam anti-drugs in that way so have been a bit concerned. Some websites mention the withdrawal can be unpleasant, tbh i dont
particularly want to find out.
It does however sound like what im using them for should be OK. Ive read into the 'when needed' bit to mean that i dont have to take the
full dose each and every day, instead to reserve them for when the neck and back pain needs the edge knocking off.
I can remember when i got my tonsils taken out 2 years ago, i got into a bit o strife with the pain. Doctor gave me an injection that not only took
the pain away but also left me feeling rather nice Ive only had 3 Tramadols so far but have felt a bit like that (not as bad). I suppose seeing as i
cant drink with the i might as well enjoy them - it is Friday neet after all
quote:
Originally posted by Paul TigerB6
quote:
Originally posted by A1
i think they can be addictive, a girl at college od'd on them, was hallucinating and everything...
Darren, you should take them then....... you never know, your Pinto engine might start to perform like a bike engine!!
That made me chuckle.
quote:
Originally posted by mads
i'm a pharmacist.
[Edited on 24/10/08 by mads]
quote:
Originally posted by DarrenW
quote:
Originally posted by Paul TigerB6
Darren, you should take them then....... you never know, your Pinto engine might start to perform like a bike engine!!
Very funny
Its a good job i can take a joke, the ne7ers lot give me a lot of stick for the ole pinto. It does its job though.
Its about time someone fitted a pinto into a bike - now that would be a talking point. Personally id be asking if they had been on the Tramadol
though
quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
quote:
Originally posted by mads
i'm a pharmacist.
[Edited on 24/10/08 by mads]
Sorry for the thread hijack, got to ask, who do you work for / are you locum or an independent?
Lets just say professional curiosity
And if you have anything to do with link I REALLY can't help
quote:
Originally posted by Paul TigerB6
quote:
Originally posted by chrisg
I've been taking them for a few months without problems
But you were only prescribed them for a week..................
Errrr be wary - Mrs Beddows has fibromyalgia and was prescribed these... she was told there was no addiction problem and they worked really well it
has to be said.....but a few weeks ago she had a seriously bad couple of weeks coming off them once she figured out she had become addicted
Sorry to hear that Im hoping i dont find out what that is like.
How do you know when you become addicted to something? For me id imagine its when i remind myself constantly that its time for another. Normally i
forget when to take tablets and wonder why im hurting.
She put 2 and 2 together when she realised that she if she forgot to take them of an evening she felt like absolute cr*p until she took another one -
took a while because you think it's something you're eating or drinking etc etc
[Edited on 24/10/08 by D Beddows]
Aha! Tramadol.....
Addictive and actually evidence shows it's not a very effective pain killer!! Manafacturers did a nice bit of marketing when they came out and
persuaded silly docs that they're not addictive and they're super-duper (usual drug company cobblers). Truth is always somewhat
different.
Bad idea to mix them with other opiates as they can counteract each other due to the way they work on the receptors.
Take them when you're in pain and addiction is unlikely. Take them even when you're not in pain and you probably won't enjoy it when
you try to stop them.
If you're sensible with them it won't be a problem. But there are better pain killers out there (modern analgesic texts don't recommend
tramadol much)....
I was prescribed Tramadol when I had a bad bout of adductor tendinitis and sacroiliitis (at the same time.... ).... it didn't even take the
'top' off the pain....
As it didn't help, I didn't take any more....so, no problem (re addiction)
Hope you feel better soon.
Fozzie
[Edited on 25-10-08 by Fozzie]
quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
Ignore doctors - they know sod all about drugs.
quote:
Originally posted by chrsgrain
quote:
Originally posted by MikeR
Ignore doctors - they know sod all about drugs.
Unnecessary, inaccurate, offensive and just plain wrong.
Chris
SpR (6) Respiratory and Intensive Care Medicine
I am on tramadol- 2 tabs 4 x a day,diclofenac- 3 tabs 3 x a day and cocodamol- 2 tabs 4 x a day without great effect...maybe that's why i'm
being referred to a consultant....or am I just a junkie?
Ah ha - ive now found out it wasnt Tramadol that my mother in law had issues with. Cant remember the name of hers but it was something like
hihydracodeine 60mg. All Tramadol did was made her feel sick.
Im fine on Tramadol and only using them to take the edge off the pain when its a bit bad. If im Ok i dont take them. 2 before bed seems to work a
treat and allows better sleep. 1 at a time through the day with a top up of paracetamol if required is working.
Thanks for your help - panic over!