I noticed for several years a decrease in allergy symptoms from 50 of tramadol my sneezing and itching eyes and cough are much better. It works at least as well as a chlorpbeniramine, dipheniramine or Zyrtec and is non sedating.
Does tramadol help allergy symptoms ?
Question posted by Rhinitis on 20 Feb 2012
Last updated on 3 December 2024
Added 20 Feb 2012:
Whoops typo above: For several years when I take 50 mg tramadol. Thanks
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
32 Answers Page 2
Nitro061
28 Nov 2018
No
Patrizian
24 Nov 2018
Taking Tramadol 50 mg several times a day for pain. It absolutely dries out my sinuses and gets rid of mucus, making it easier to breathe. It actually dries out my mouth too much, too, but I can tolerate taking it because it helps greatly with nerve pain. This med does affect sinuses and saliva/mucous production. Even my dentist noticed the dryness.
Rhinitis
31 Dec 2018
Thanks for your comments about tramadol use and benefit.
We are up to over 20 testimonies about its benefits for this rhinitis problem. We’re on to something big here !
Nitro061
14 Nov 2018
Oh my no sir.
Rhinitis
21 Nov 2018
Nitrol, what is your point?
Nitro061
30 Nov 2018
Apologies, but I was going to suggest neddie rinses 2 times a day with salt packets and asking your doctor about a Steroid nasal spray such as budesonide.
I had same problem but this truly works.
Best of luck and apologies for forgetting to reply.
Titianmom
5 May 2020
This is old, but what about blood pressure issues? I can't take steroid sprays. I am interested in this topic because none of the usual allergy "remedies" work for me. Tramadol does, but long-term usage is not a good idea for anyone, IMHO. Maybe a really low dosage could be a solution?
scibidr
12 Nov 2018
I too have noticed that Tramadol greatly alleviates my respiratory allergy (rhinitis). As I understand it, tramadol is a synthetic opioid that also has SNRI activity, i.e., serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibition. As a scientist commenting well out of my field, I believe it is the norepinephrine reuptake inhibition that provides an excess of norepinephrine, which acts as a decongestant.
Rhinitis
31 Dec 2018
That’s very interesting about the norepinephrine. I wasn’t aware of this action of tramadol. It also has serotonin effects but I doubt that would cause vasoconstriction.
Thanks again for your comments
captainjaneway
11 Nov 2018
I've had the same experience! I had terrible allergies for years prior to taking tramadol, and now even after years of being on it to treat chronic pain, I notice a major decrease in allergy symptoms for about 6 - 8 hours almost immediately after taking 50 mg of tramadol (which I only take twice a day). I wish someone would research this, because it works better and faster than any antihistamine I've ever taken. The allergies are not a withdrawal symptom of tramadol, at least not in my case, but rather are existing allergy symptoms that tramadol helps relieve. Glad other people have posted about having similar experiences.
Rhinitis
31 Dec 2018
Thanks! I too discovered it by accident after a mission trip to El Salvador. The pills were not labeled correctly and I thought it was an anti-histamine. No it turned out to be a tramadol. Your observation has been validated by numerous people on this blog Thanks again.
Mchelgregg58
17 May 2018
I completely agree! I’ve had horrific allergies for many years. Done the allergy shots for years, take every OTC product available and still have chronic drainage from allergies. Had some dental work done a few months back and was prescribed Tramadol 50 mg for post operative pain. Allergies and drainage was bad at the time I had the dental work done but it all stopped after taking Tramadol. It was such a noticeable difference I made the connection between the two very quickly. Unfortunately I’m back to sleeping sitting up at night due to allergy drainage and nothing works to relieve it. I told my MD about this and she stated there was nothing in Tramadol that would have worked on my allergies and continues to keep prescribing everything under the sun to no avail. Wish someone would expedite these findings so I could again get some relief.
Titianmom
5 May 2020
I agree completely. The doctors need to start listening and researchers need to look onto why Tramadol *cures* allergies. I had to get off Tramadol after long-term use and my serious allergy problems all came back and I am miserable. No traditional allergy medications work for me. I am tempted to go back on Tramadol just to stop the constant coughing. None of my doctors believe that Tramadol lierally cured my allergies. My pulminary specialist literally told me it was all in my mind, that I was too high to notice I had breathing problems. I never went back to him, needless to say.
Kim in Texas
3 March 2018
I am so glad I just stumbled onto this. I moved to Texas 16 years ago. Within the last 13 years, I started having drainage issues. It started with constant throat clearing and has progressed to full days and nights of non-stop coughing. The cough ironically lessens when I get a cold but as the cold goes away, the cough comes back with a vengence. I can't get it to go away permanently. It's all from constant drainage. I have been to many doctors and 3 ENTs, taken every OTC allergy med, cough med, and nasal spray, tested for allergies (negative), had a CT scan (clear). Nothing makes it go away, except Tramadol, which I take for restless leg syndrome. I only recently noticed this link and I think it is working 2 ways at once. First, it cuts down the sensitivity of the nerves in the throat and, secondly, it dries up my drainage. I didn't take any tramadol yesterday and coughed horribly all day today.
I broke down and took some at 5pm today and I have not been coughing for hours, which will also allow me to sleep without coughing through the night. I do believe this seriously needs to be looked into for chronic coughs.
Bsharps
26 Aug 2018
I too have had many of the same symptoms that you have described. I've been experiencing symptoms of sneezing, coughing, gagging, post nasal drip, itchy throat,lite headedness and watery eyes for about 5 months. I've never had allergies before. I've been prescribed all the allergy medicines to no avail. The day before my appointment with a ENT/allergist I took a tramadol 50mg for my chronic back pain and noticed that morning that I haven't had any of the issues with allergies since. It seems that my allergies miraculously disappeared. I understand that tramadol doesn't have any antihistamine properties, but it has proven to alleviate my symptoms of allergies. There needs to be further research done to determine the affects tramadol has on allergies.
Rhinitis
31 Dec 2018
Thanks,
Your story is very similar to the many other people writing on the blog. The word is spreading rapidly- but only on this blog.
I like your comment “First, it cuts down the sensitivity of the nerves in the throat and, secondly, it dries up my drainage”
We’re on to something. I’m thinking of talking with a local clinical trials company to see if we could study this indication for tramadol. I’ll also talk to a ENT specialist. Maybe a pharmaceutical company would help Support it.
Thanks again
Rhinitis
25 Feb 2018
It’s been six years since I started this blog. It looks like six other people have noticed how tramadol helps Rhinitis and other allergy symptoms. This is fascinating. I’m also a physician. I’ve never discovered a new remedy before. I’ll keep looking into this Benefit to allergies with tramadol. Let’s keep this going!!
Eli82
24 April 2017
I have noticed that my allergies act up when I'm not taking tramadol also.
jonlereux
3 June 2017
I was prescribed Tramadol in order to control pain due to hip surgery. While recovering the first week I noticed my lack of allergy symptoms and thought little of it , however I stopped taking Tramadol yesterday and immediately noticed an onset of my allergy symptoms.
I figured it couldn't just be me. I guess I should let my doctor know...
dukidog
23 Feb 2018
I suffered from a terrible rhinitis problem for 10+ years until I hurt my back and barrowed a tramadol 50mg from my wife to ease the pain before going to work. At work, the norm was coughing, gaging, bring stuff up and looking at people staring at me, but not that day. 10 hours later the problems started again and so did the back pain. Again I barrowed a tramadol from my wife, BANG, I realized the connection. I rushed to her doctor and convinced him to put me on a maintenance dose. I've been on it for 11 years and have not had any problems. My doctor has now moved on and now I can't find a doctor that will believe me that tramadol will help these type of problems. Unless the drug is marketed for this it will never be prescribed and its good use will go unnoticed.
Rhinitis
31 Dec 2018
That is very helpful information. Thank you for sharing your experience.
titidedivi
14 March 2017
Regarding allergies in general. I've suffered from allergies since childhood... meaning, intense itch all over my body when eating certain types of foods, and from excessive exposure to sun. Since I stumbled upon Tramadol 50mg four years ago all my allergies are gone, as long as I keep taking it. I swear by it. Wil.
Rhinitis
31 Dec 2018
Thanks Will for sharing your experience. Steven
Groovykey
9 Oct 2016
I have also noticed this benefit! It's a tremendously fortunate side effect. In my case, in helps with chronic back pain and my longtime sinus problems to boot. We should write the FDA.
Rhinitis
25 Feb 2018
Your experiences validate my findings of tramadol‘s benefit in rhinitis and allergic symptoms.
deedst
6 Sep 2016
Hello my name is Doris I have been suffering from allergies for years.. and one day I took a Tramadol for pain and I noticed that it control my allergies I have talked to the ER concerning this and they said they never heard of that happening but the Tramadol does work for allergies... it controls my coughing, Sneezing itchy eyes and runny nose all of it
Rhinitis
31 Dec 2018
Thanks Doris.
Apparently not only does tramadol help sneezing but also coughing as you say.. Many thanks. Steven
tjm0486
27 Oct 2013
I too have noticed improvements in my terrible allergies upon taking tramadol. Seems to dry out my sinuses.
Rhinitis
7 Nov 2013
It must work for sneezing and other allergy symptoms since there have now been four others with similar experiences. Apparently it is not working as an antihistamine. One reader, suggests mu receptor mechanism. Thanks.
Rhinitis
7 Nov 2013
It must work for sneezing and other allergy symptoms since there have now been four others with similar experiences. Apparently it is not working as an antihistamine. One reader, suggests mu receptor mechanism. Thanks.
its_just_me
15 Feb 2014
Same here. I have had horrible seasonal allergies for decades. Since taking Tramadol for other reasons, my allergies have been cured (so it seams). I just googled to see if there is any validation to this and landed here.
jsteve123
1 June 2013
I had horrible allergies for many years where it would come on suddenly and make me feel like I have the flu for a week or more. When I got shingles, my doctor gave me tramadol to help with the pain. Now, whenever I have a sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat allergy attack.. if I take half of a pill of my leftover tramadol medicine my allergies are instantly better within 15-20 minutes. The sneezing, runny nose, and itchy throat are immediately healed and I don't suffer for over a week anymore. I really think someone should research this a bit more because it works far better than any other allergy medicine I have ever tried and I tried them all.
Rhinitis
7 Nov 2013
You're experience also validates mine. Thanks
momof4sons
19 March 2013
I also was curious about that. I suffer from allergies every year and this year since I have been taking 50mg tramadol I have not had any problems. The rest of my family is having a lot of trouble but I am still going strong.I have a little sniffle but I am usually the one that gets sick first and then needs antibiotics from getting an infection. And I am not taking any other meds.
Rhinitis
20 March 2013
Thanks for sharing your experience. That is very interesting. You have validated my experience with this medication. As stated above this is not an antihistamine effect. Tramadol is not an antihistamine. Maybe the mu aka opiate receptors are the key. Luckily tramadol has very low affinity to the opiate receptors and has low abuse potential.
Rhinitis
25 Feb 2018
That sounds great. My experience with tramadol is similar with its rapid onset of benefits against sneezing etc.
Related topics
allergies, hay fever, tramadol, allergic rhinitis
Further information
- Tramadol uses and safety info
- Tramadol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Tramadol (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.