13 Tramadol Side Effects

Tramadol is a synthetic pain relieving medication that can treat moderate to severe pain.
It is effective against several serious conditions that cause pain including acid reflux, fibromyalgia, and restless leg syndrome, among many others. The drug comes in several brand names but since it is a man-made medication, its development can be attributed to pharmaceutical company Grunenthal GmbH and dates back to the late 1970s.

Tramadol works by binding onto the u-opioid receptors found in the brain. These receptors are responsible for transmitting pain sensations throughout the body. By inhibiting this transmission, feelings of pain are stopped. It is considered as a prescription pain relieving medication, but not an NSAID or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and as part of its mechanism of action, some side effects are unavoidable.
Some of these effects are simply side effects due to the body’s adjusting to the medication,
but some are also caused by overdosage, improper usage, and abuse of the drug.

Side Effects of Tramadol

The likelihood and manner of side effects that arise as caused by Tramadol differ based on the patient’s individual response to the drug, the dosage taken, and the condition being treated. The most common side effects associated with the base Tramadol preparation include constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, dry mouth, diarrhea, sleeping problems, body weakness, and vomiting.
These are minor and temporary. If they persist or increase in intensity, they should still be reported to the doctor.

Other less common but more severe side effects have also occurred in different Tramadol treatment cases.
Some of these include chest pain, agitation, painful urination, fainting, hallucinations, irregular heartbeat, loss of coordination, mood changes, disorientation and mental confusion, blistered and peeling skin, seizures, and severe lightheadedness. Some severe allergic reactions can also occur, including rashes, hives, itching, tightness in the chest, difficulty in breathing, and inflammation of the face, lips, and tongue.

Side Effects of Tramadol ER

Tramadol comes in many different preparations too. Aside from the regular Tramadol, there is also Tramadol ER or Tramadol Extended Release. These are Tramadol tablets that work for a longer period of time, releasing the drug with certain time intervals. This preparation is meant specifically for treatment of chronic pain.

The most common side effects of Tramadol ER include constipation, dizziness, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, increased sweating, sleeping problems, nausea with vomiting, and body weakness. These are mostly transient but should still be reported to the prescribing physician.

There are, however, several potential risks that are more severe. These include agitation, painful urination, difficulty in urinating, disorientation, fainting, hallucinations, irregular heartbeat, compromised coordination, unexplained changes in mood or mental state, blistered or swollen skin, seizures, lightheadedness and dizziness at severe stages, and the common symptoms caused by an allergic reaction including rashes, hives, itching, constricting in breathing pattern, and swelling of the face, mouth, and tongue.

Side Effects of Tramadol with Acetaminophen

Tramadol also comes in a drug combination form, wherein it is mixed with acetaminophen.
This combination drug causes significantly less side effects. The most common are limited to constipation or diarrhea, dizziness and drowsiness, loss of appetite, and nausea. The most severe is only seizures or convulsions.
There are no other severe side effects reported aside from severe allergic reactions.

Side Effects Based on Body System Affected

These different side effects can also be categorized based on the body system that is being affected.
Tramadol has the most significant effects on the gastrointestinal system and the nervous system, the two systems involved in the drug’s absorption and mechanism of action.

Gastrointestinal side effects are most common, but are usually temporary. The most serious gastrointestinal effects are nausea and constipation, both of which may last for up to 90 days of continuous therapy. Other possible gastrointestinal side effects include vomiting, dyspepsia, diarrhea, flatulence, anorexia, dryness in the mouth, and unexplained abdominal pain.

The side effects in the nervous system are more frequently reported and are more severe.
The most serious is the risk of seizures, which increases the higher the dosage taken and the older the patient is.
Seizures have occurred in more than 200 patients taking Tramadol, so it is considered a major risk.

Other effects include dizziness, somnolence, and headaches, which has a 25% likelihood of occurring, based on actual occurrence reports. These are most common during the first three months of treatment. Confusion, sleeping disorders, and problems with coordination are also reported in 5% of patients.

Safety Precautions Against Tramadol Side Effects

To guarantee one’s safety while medicating with tramadol, it is important to follow proper dosage instructions and coordinate closely with your doctor during therapy.