Tramadol Warning Signs and Ultram Side Effects

Tramadol, also marketed as Ultram, used to be known as one of the safer opioid medications, but years into its release onto the pain medication market, it is now believed to be potentially more dangerous for users and abusers than some of the alike opioid medications on the market. Keep reading to learn about Tramadol warning signs and side effects if you or someone you know is using this medication for either its intended use or illegal recreational use.

What is Tramadol and How is it Used?

Before we get into the side effects of Tramadol use, abuse and the warning signs of a Tramadol addiction, let’s look into how Tramadol works, why doctors prescribe the drug and how it impacts the brain and body’s central nervous system. Tramadol, also marketed as Ultram, is an opioid based drug that works by binding to the opioid receptors, located in the body’s central nervous system, CNS. This works to help relieve pain. The pain management effects typically kick in within about an hour after taking Tramadol. Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. An extended release form of Tramadol is available to help treat chronic pain. However, the continued use of the drug may be what causes the potential risk for addiction.

Tramadol Side Effects:

New research indicates that the Tramadol side effects might be more than what what originally found in earlier studies of the drug. The most serious side effects include seizures, dangerous levels of low blood sugar and even death. It’s been found that Tramadol, when mixed with alcohol, or abused for too long of a period of time or ingested the wrong way, can become deadly for the user. But like many other opioid medications, there are common side effects to be expected when using a medication like Tramadol.

Common side effects include:

• Dizziness and spinning sensations
• Constipation
• Upset stomach/nausea
• Headache
• Drowsiness/fatigue
• Feelings of nervousness or anxiety.

More serious side effects may also include:

• Agitation, hallucinations, fever,  overactive reflexes, loss of coordination, nausea/vomiting, fast heart rate, diarrhea, fainting
• Seizure (convulsions)
• Red, blistering, peeling skin rash
• Shallow breathing
• Weak pulse

Tramadol Warning Signs:

It is important to be aware of the warning signs associated with Tramadol use. To avoid warning signs of a Tramadol addiction, it is important for the individual to use the medication properly as instructed by a healthcare professional and only if the drug is prescribed to you. Like many opioid drugs, Tramadol does have a risk of being abused as an illegal street narcotic because of the impact the drug has on the brain and CNS. Like other opioids, it can cause the user to experience feelings of euphoria. This high produced by the pain relief can cause a physical dependence.

These warning signs include:

Serious adverse side effects: Do not crush the tramadol tablet. This medicine is intended to be used for oral (by mouth) use only. Powder from a crushed tablet should not be inhaled or diluted with liquid and injected into the body, despite the interest in using this drug for illegal intentions. It is important to be aware that by using this medicine via inhalation or injection can cause life-threatening side effects, overdose or even death. Cases of Tramadol being used illegally as a drug to get high have resulted in overdoses and death for the user, according to information from the National Library of Medical Science. More than 20,000 emergency room-related instances occurred from Tramadol overdoses in 2011.

Recurring health-related side effects: Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking tramadol. Tramadol might be more likely to cause seizures in persons who  have a history of seizures or head injury or a metabolic disorder. The risk of seizure side effects also increase if the user is taking certain medicines such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers, narcotic, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.

Be sure to seek emergency medical attention if you think you may have used too much of this medicine as a tramadol drug overdose can be quickly fatal. This is why it is especially important to only use the drug as intended and only by the person it was prescribed for. Be sure to keep the medication in a secure place where others do not have access to it.

Recognizing these signs and symptoms and side effects that come along with Tramadol abuse, it is important to get immediate medical help if you or someone you know is concerned they might have an addiction to Tramadol.

Sources:

www.rxlist.com/

www.worstpills.org/

www.medpagetoday.com/

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