Is tramadol an opioid based drug?
Yes, tramadol is an opioid. It is also known by brand names ConZip, Qdolo, Ultram, and Ultram ER. Tramadol is a synthetic opioid, which means it is made in a laboratory and works on the same proteins in the brain as natural opioids like morphine.
Tramadol is a schedule IV controlled substance because it carries a risk of misuse, addiction, and dependence. Studies show it may have a lower abuse potential compared to other opioids.
What is tramadol used for?
Tramadol may be used to treat pain when non-opioid medications are not working well enough. It is also used off-label for premature ejaculation and restless leg syndrome, but it is not FDA approved for these conditions.
How does tramadol work?
Tramadol is an opioid agonist. It targets opiate receptors in the central nervous system that play a role in the transmission of pain signals. This changes how you perceive pain.
Unlike other opioids, tramadol is changed into an active substance in your liver that is 6 times stronger than tramadol.
References
Dhesi, M., et. al. 2024. Tramadol. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Accessed on August 15, 2024 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537060/
Drug Enforcement Administration. 2020. Drug Fact Sheet: Synthetic Opioids. Accessed on August 15, 2024 at https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Synthetic%20Opioids-2020.pdf
Dunn, K. E., et. al. 2019. A Systematic Review of Laboratory Evidence for the Abuse Potential of Tramadol in Humans. In: Frontiers in Psychiatry. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffpsyt.2019.00704
Read next
Can you take tramadol with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin?
Yes, it is safe for most people to take tramadol with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin if they are old enough (aspirin is not recommended for children less than 16 years and tramadol should not be taken by children under the age of 12). Continue reading
How much tramadol should I give my dog?
How much tramadol you give your dog depends on the size of your dog. Smaller dogs do not need as much tramadol as larger dogs need to relieve pain. If you give too much tramadol your dog is likely to have more severe side effects. The tramadol dosage for dogs is usually between 0.45 to 1.8 mg per pound of body weight (1mg to 5 mg/kg). The frequency varies depending on what you are giving it for. For general pain, it is given every 8 to 12 hours, but for cancer-related pain, it can be administered every 6 hours. Continue reading
How long does tramadol withdrawal last?
Symptoms of tramadol withdrawal can start 8-24 hours after the last dose. Untreated, withdrawal symptoms usually last for 4-10 days. Withdrawal is caused by stopping the drug suddenly. Continue reading
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