Tramadol
Pain and inflammationAlso known as Ultram
Tramadol is a prescription pain reliever for moderate to fairly severe pain. Here's the honest part many people don't realize: it is an opioid. It changes how your brain senses pain, and it carries the serious opioid risks — it can be habit-forming, it can slow your breathing, and mixing it with alcohol or sedatives can be deadly. Used carefully, exactly as prescribed, and for the shortest time needed, it can be a useful tool.
How to take it
When
Exactly as prescribed — never more often, never a bigger dose.
Food
With or without food. Taking it with food can ease nausea.
Avoid
No alcohol. Don't combine with benzodiazepines, sleep medicines, or other sedatives unless your doctor specifically okayed it — the combination can stop your breathing.
Habit-forming?
Yes. Never share it with anyone, store it out of reach of children (accidental swallowing can be fatal), and don't stop suddenly after regular use — ask your doctor how to taper.
Missed a dose?
If you take it on a schedule and miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it's close to the next one — then skip it. Never double up.
Common side effects
- Drowsiness or dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Constipation
- Headache
- Sweating
Call a doctor if
- Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing, or someone you can't wake up — call emergency services immediately.
- A seizure — tramadol raises seizure risk. Call emergency services.
- Agitation, fever, racing heart, shivering, or muscle twitching — could be serotonin syndrome, especially if you also take antidepressants. Get help now.
- Swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing after a dose — call emergency services.
- A child got into it — this is an emergency even for a small amount. Call emergency services or Poison Control immediately.