Tramadol - Does anyone else have horrible itching with this medication?
Question posted by Julie2380 on 15 March 2010
Last updated on 20 May 2024 by Harryhlc
11 Answers
Yes!
Mainly my legs but also arms and abdomen.
Terrible itching.
Yes. It's a very light itch over my arms, scalp, and core. The itch itself won't keep me awake but sometimes I get restless and fidgety, other times I'll wake up out of a dead sleep. I've been on 50mg per day for years but can take more if needed. 50 mg will produce that light itch, the other effects kick in at 100mg.
If you're considering Tramadol, try NSAIDs first. Tramadol is *not* something you wanna take lightly, as others have said the side effects can be very intense even if the medication is expired. If you use it for *any* reason make sure your doctor knows.
Just to expand upon Shadow 469's post, all drugs should be taken seriously, even over the counter medications. NSAIDs, taken in high doses or over long periods of time, are definitively known to cause kidney disease. In fact, due to other medications I take that can have adverse effects upon my kidneys, I have not been allowed to take NSAIDs for over 20 years. I avoid them like the plague. Tramadol does not have that effect. The most severe side effect from Tramadol, other than overdose, which I really don't consider a side effect, is the possibility of addiction. It is an addictive drug, and as mentioned earlier no drugs should be taken lightly. Both drugs, opioids and NSAIDs, have their risks and can cause serious problems if not used under the supervision of a physician. I cannot stress that enough. Acetaminophen is the safest over the counter pain reliever, but even then, if taken long-term or in high doses, your doctor should be monitoring your liver function.
Back to the itching, I have found that the side effect has gone away from me on the days that I take a lower dose, but I still get a light itch on days when I need to take a higher dose. Therefore, it is possible that your body will adapt if you are new to Tramadol. I have been on it for a little over 2 years now. It helps me with my fibromyalgia where no other drug could.
Be safe with all drugs, all medications, and make sure your doctor is aware of everything you take including over the counter medication.
Itching is a very common side effect of tramadol. I experience it later in the day as the medication begins to wear off. It is not that bad for me and it goes away within an hour or two. If it is intolerable for you, I suggest speaking with your doctor about switching to a different pain medication.
After taking maximum dosages of ibuprofen and tylenol without much relief from pain, I decided to look for a bottle of tramadol I had hidden away for at least 5 years. They were broken in half by me, but I didn't realize until after I took one that it was half of the maximum dose of 300 mg. At first I thought that the potency would have all but vanished due to their being way past expiration.
It took about 6 hours for my symptoms to start. I have itching on my neck, arms, stomach, groin area and back as I write this. I am rubbing the areas for relief but not scratching, which ultimately makes it worse and could cause sores and infection. After I sign out of this site, I will be applying anti-itch cream. I hope it will give some relief.
I started 50 mg as needed. I can't sleep on it and only take 25 mg during day as needed which hasn't been but a couple of times. I started itching on my hip and stomach area. I thought it was dry skin or a bug bite. But it has grown in size of area plus I have on my breast. So then i was thinking bed bugs :( but looked this up right away. Unbelievable!!! So YES it does because i know I shouldn't have bed bugs and lotions not helping. Try some cortisone 10 for some temporary calm
Yes the itching is so bad it keeps me on at night too. Benadryl works a bit but not much.
I got a body rash (back, sides, chest) and sever itching. I stopped the Tramadol and rash disappeared. I'm back on Tramadol now for my neck, back, and sciatica pain. I'm also looking for solutions to control the rash and itching. Benadryl has not helped me.
Yes!!! I have been itching all day!! Hence the reason why I'm replying to you. I'm glad I am not the only one. Flushing these craps right now!!
I don't like taking pain pills very often so I've had a prescription for Tramadol 50 mg pills for about a year I've taken it a couple of times. After taking it the first time I started itching all over my body, especially in my crotch area and around my waist. The next day I had a blister that covered half of my penis and the skin peeled off within a couple of days leaving a nice scar. I was not sure if tramadol was the cause of the blistering at the time. Six months later I took another pill, itching all night blister the next day. I won't be taking it again.
I just came to this site to ask the same question. I am itching like mental and wondered if it was normal. But having read that Tramadol releases histimines in the body that makes a bit more sense. I only seem to itch from it after about 12 hours from taking when I go to bed. Do you think this is because it's hot in the bed? It's very strange. Even my teeth itch!!
I have the same thing. I only take 50-100mg a day and around 10-12 hours later or more when i go to bed i start iching like crazy. Its getting worse than the reason im taking it. So im going to take oxcodone for a few days n stop tramadol. Doc said to alternate so that theres not so much tramadol in my system. Its working!!
Try Arius or Loratadine 10 mg together with Tramadol. I've been taking Loratadine with Tramacet which is a combination of Tramadol and Acetaminophen and whenever I take Tramacet, I have to take the loratadine with it, otherwise, I show a crazy itchiness reaction to Tramadol.
Even between my fingers, I itch and my scalp!
Try taking benadryl capsules as prescribed on the box. Tramadol can cause you to release histamines which makes you itchy. This is quite common and anti histamine pills will control it... It can also be a sign of taking to much which people need to be careful as Tramadol causes seizures at high doses..
My doctor told me I could take benadryl with Tramadol, but I haven't tried it yet.
I know it causes siezures, I make sure I do my homework on every medication I ever take. But it says that itching is a severe side effect, just wondering how severe it is. I only take 50-100mg a day, I am well aware how much I should not take.
Please don't think I was accusing you of abuse, I was just informing you that this drug can be very dangerous. Don't be worried about getting itchy from this drug. It is very common to get quite itchy from it. The Benadryl will take it away and I suggest you go get some and ask the pharmacist about how to take it for opiate histamine release... Good luck..
I didn't think you were accusing me of abuse, just putting it out there I just started it 3 weeks ago. I am very weary of new drugs so I make sure I am well educated on them. I appreciate the advice, I will talk to my pharmacist!
Julie
How long does the itching last from tramadol? I cannot get any Benadryl until the morning..
The itching varies from person to person so the itching could stop not too long after you took a dose or it could last the entire duration til the tramadol is out of your system.
I have osteoarthritis.
I started out taking 100 mg. 3 times a day. The doctor said he could give me the time released after we figured out the correct dose. In the beginning my palms were itching. No visible signs of a rash, just horrible itching in the palms of my hands. This went on for 3-4 days, not even thinking it could be reaction to Tramadol. Then my entire upper torso and neck started itching, next came hives. (red whelps) At first Benadryl seemed to help. Now, the red whelps are going down, but my palms are driving me crazy. I called the dr. Was told to stop the tramadol and the itching should subside w/n 48 hrs. Today, I went for my yearly female check up. The Doctor was nice enough to give me a steroid shot. The whelps on my neck are starting to go away, but my itching palms are driving me crazy. Just took a Zyrtec. That seemed to help. I will NOT KNOWINGLY, EVER TAKE ANOTHER TRAMADOL AGAIN!!!
On a side note, any type of pain medication makes me itch, but nothing like the red whelps and extreme itching in the palms of my hands.
At this point, I have just hoping tomorrow will be a better day.
Just be careful w/ Tramadol if you are sensitive to other pain meds.
First time ever taking- March 31 st 2017 i took two ultram/tramadol for pain the doc recently prescribed to me. my experience was horrible. Severe itching everwhere!!! Extreme paranoia!!! Restless legs!!! No sleep crazy dreams that caused me to jerk. These meds r going in the trash. This pill is scary what the hell are they giving us. The reviews are def un healthy for body and brain. Never again. People!!! Please be careful
I slipped and fell on my left butt cheek and tailbone. I ended up injuring my kidney and pinched a nerve. My dr prescribed Tramadol. On my third day being on this drug, I was totally itchy all over. From scalp, arms, back, hips. My coworkers were teasing me, telling me I had fleas. During my follow up with my Dr, he prescribed me anti itch lotion and the itchiness has subside. About 2 weeks after injury, I can finally stand up correctly, almost back to normal.
What anti itch lotion was used?
I take my usual dose and last week, I didn't take any Tramadol until this week because of the itchiness. I still had the itchiness with the Benadryl, so I was put on Prednisone 5mgs for 5 days.
Related topics
Further information
- Tramadol uses and safety info
- Tramadol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Tramadol (detailed)
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