does the serotonin and norepinephrine in tramadol take much shorter time to work then with effexor (both are very structurally the same) ? I would think so
Effexor XR vs tramadol?
Question posted by tseanmurr on 12 Oct 2011
Last updated on 14 June 2013
Answers
LaurieShay
13 Oct 2011
Hey tseanmurr,
While both of the medications affect the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, they are very different. The tramadol affects the mu opoid receptors in the brain while the Effexor does not. While the tramadol does have antidepressant properties by affecting the two neurotransmitters mentioned, it is not meant to treat depression like the Effexor is. If the goal is pain control, the tramadol is recommended while if the goal is depression control, the Effexor is recommended.
Best wishes,
Laurie
tseanmurr
13 Oct 2011
Thank you Laurie :)
LaurieShay
13 Oct 2011
You are welcome!!
tmccroden
24 Jan 2012
Tseanmurr,
While I aggree with both drugs affect the reuptake of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, I do have a problem with the assuming of them to be very different. If you look at the chemical make-up between the two. Here is a more in depth description courtesy of The American Society of Health System Pharmacists, and The American Journal of Psychiatry.
Medical uses
Tramadol is used similarly to codeine, to treat moderate to moderately severe pain.[5] Tramadol is somewhat pharmacologically similar to levorphanol (albeit with much lower μ-agonism), as both opioids are also NMDA-antagonists which also have SNRI activity (other such opioids to do the same are dextropropoxyphene (Darvon) & M1-like molecule tapentadol (Nucynta, a new synthetic atypical opioid made to mimic the agonistic properties of tramadol's metabolite, M1(O-Desmethyltramadol).
Tramadol is also molecularly similar to venlafaxine (Effexor) and has similar SNRI effects, with antinociceptive effects also observed. It has been suggested that tramadol could be effective for alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and phobias[6] because of its action on the noradrenergic and serotonergic systems, such as its "atypical" opioid activity.[7] However, health professionals have not endorsed its use for these disorders,[8][9] claiming it may be used as a unique treatment (only when other treatments failed), and must be used under the control of a psychiatrist.[10][11]
In May 2009, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued a Warning Letter to Johnson & Johnson, alleging that a promotional website commissioned by the manufacturer had "overstated the efficacy" of the drug, and "minimized the serious risks".[12] The company which produced it, the German pharmaceutical company Grünenthal GmbH, were alleged to be guilty of "minimizing" the addictive nature and proposed efficacy of the drug, although it showed little abuse liability in preliminary tests. The 2010 Physicians Desk Reference contains several warnings from the manufacturer, which were not present in prior years. The warnings include more compelling language regarding the addictive potential of tramadol, the possibility of difficulty breathing while on the medication, a new list of more serious side effects, and a notice that tramadol is not to be used in place of opiate medications for addicts. Tramadol is also not to be used in efforts to wean addict patients from opiate drugs, nor to be used to manage long-term opiate addiction.
They are virtually mirror images chemically and if not abused, many physicians now are going over the FDA and prescribing tramadol as a psychotropic drug, just unable to classify it on RX as for that use, instead for pain as needed. My personal opinion, is since none of the several different SSRI/SNRI pschotropic drugs out on the drug market, have progressed to the exact, scientifically proven use, in each unique case of depression, than I see no reason how anyone can discredit tramadol's noneffectiveness versus the brand name Effexor classified as purely antidepressant.
LaurieShay
24 Jan 2012
Thanks for the dissertation and clarification. I'll be sure to take this information into consideration from now on. BTW, thanks for the thumbs down.
saannec
15 June 2013
I know this is an old question, but I wanted to back up tmccroden's comment that Tramadol and Effexor are structurally similar, but also to refute LaurieShay's assertion that Effexor doesn't affect mu opiod receptors. It does, in fact, as does Pristiq which is merely a downstream metabolite if Effexor (Effexor = venlafaxine, Pristiq = desvenlafaxine).
The dangerous thing here is that any member can answer questions and give advice without having the knowledge or qualifications to do so. These types of questions are better asked of a medical or pharmaceutical professional.
Related topics
effexor, effexor xr, norepinephrine, tramadol
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