Can You Overdose On Tramadol?
Moderate to severe pain is difficult to live with. There are several treatment options available for pain from acupuncture to medications. Tramadol is an analgesic that is chiefly used to treat pain. Usually Tramadol is prescribed by a doctor as a treatment for more severe pain. Alternative uses are under currently under investigation and a doctor may prescribe this medication as they see fit. When Tramadol is taken as prescribed by a doctor it can effectively manage pain. Studies have shown that taking Tramadol long term can lead to a dependence on the drug. It is important to accurately assess pain and treat it accordingly. Not all levels of pain require a medication as potent as Tramadol for relief.
As with any medication, when taking Tramadol, it is important to take care to prevent an overdose. Taking Tramadol as prescribed will help to ensure that an overdose does not occur. When patients attempt to self medicate, there is an increased chance that an overdose will happen. If an overdose is suspected, immediate medical attention should be sought.
Common Tramadol Dosages
Tramadol is available as a regular tablet or as an extended release tablet. For those over the age of 16, the regular tablet varies in dosage from 25 – 100 milligrams to be taken every 4 – 6 hours. The maximum daily dosage should not exceed 400 milligrams per day. For those under the age of 16, a doctor may use body weight as guidance for how much medicine to prescribe.
At times a doctor may recommend that a patient start with a low dosage and gradually increase to build up a tolerance to the medication. In this case, the dosage can be increased to 25 mg over three days until a 100 mg daily dosage is reached. If the patient is still having pain and can tolerate a higher dosage, a doctor may increase it to 50 mg over three days to reach a dosage of 200 mg a day. The 50 mg tablet is the most common dosage that is prescribed.
Extended release tablets are generally 100 mg. As with the regular tablets, the patient can build up to the 100 mg. Generally the extended release tablet can be increased by 100 mg over a five day period to a maximum of 300 mg daily. Tramadol should be taken after meals in order to avoid an upset stomach. However, this medication may be taken without food as well. Plenty of water should be consumed when taking this medication.
Tramadol Overdose
Both accidental and intentional overdoses are possible with Tramadol. An accidental overdose can occur if a child inadvertently takes the medication or if a patient doubles up on doses to compensate for forgetting an earlier dose. More commonly, overdoses are intentional. Some patients who have become dependent on Tramadol increase the dosage of the medication without consulting a doctor. Other patients stop getting the maximum relief from the drug so they will take additional doses in excess of what has been prescribed to them and determined as safe. If a patient feels that they cannot live without this medicine or if it is no longer providing relief from pain, they should consult their doctor as soon as possible. Tramadol is only one of many effective treatments used to treat moderate to severe pain.
An overdose of Tramadol can lead to many complications, side effects or even death. Signs of a Tramadol overdose include fainting, seizures, cardiac arrest, slowed heartbeat, coma, shallow or labored breathing, cold and clammy skin, and extreme drowsiness. Some patients are at a higher risk of seizures. The risk is higher in those with a history of epilepsy or seizure, those diagnosed with a metabolic disorder, a history of head injury, drug or alcohol addiction or if the patient is taking muscle relaxants, antidepressants or medicine for vomiting or nausea.
Patients should completely disclose their medical history to their doctor. Conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, or stomach disorders as well as a history of depression or mental illness may require special testing or monitoring. Open and continual communication with a doctor can help prevent an overdose and make sure that the patient is receiving the best possible treatment.