Tramadol

Pain relievers are divided into three groups: non-opioid, low-opioid, and high-opioid. The approach to pain management is to begin with the first group to relieve pain. If the drugs and dosages in the first group are no longer sufficient, the next classification group is carried out, possibly up to the third group of strong opioids. This includes Tramadol.

What is Tramadol?

Tramadol is a centrally effective pain reliever, which is used for moderate to severe pain. Tramadol falls into the middle or second group of painkillers. It is a prescription drug.

Few pharmaceutical companies manufacture the tablets in two shifts, so it is possible to adjust the dose here too. Tramadol is one of the few opioids that can also be administered intravenously, which proves to be particularly advantageous after operations or as treatment with higher doses over a longer period of time, especially because of the immediate onset of the effect.

Pharmacological effect

Tramadol is a centrally acting pain reliever, i.e. it achieves its pain-relieving effect by docking onto nerve cells in the spinal cord and the brain.

It practically switches off certain pain receptors or reduces the sensitivity so that there is no pain for a certain period of time, since the pain is no longer perceived. But that's not the only way the substance works. Tramdol ensures that the reuptake of norepinephrine is inhibited and a slightly increased release of serotonin takes place. This also leads to a slight antidepressant effect of the drug.

Despite its centrally acting property, Tramdol is not suitable for all forms of pain. For example, there is little effectiveness on muscle pain or certain abdominal pain. There are often reservations about treatment with opioids, and such a drug is considered too late.

The drugs can, however, be used for a long time without developing tolerance, which would make an increase in dose inevitable. However, if a dose increase is necessary for tramadol, this is usually due to the patient's pain actually getting worse.

Medical application & use

Painkillers containing opioids are of particular importance in pain therapy and have an excellent effect on various forms of pain.

Frequently becomes Tramadol Used in the treatment of tumor pain and quite often for severe back pain. Tramadol hydrochloride is administered in drop form or as a tablet - usually with two levels of activity. Drops often have to be added, but they have the advantage that the pain-relieving effect occurs very quickly.

With so-called prolonged-release tablets, part of the active ingredient is released immediately and the other part is only gradually released into the body over a longer period of time. This has the advantage of a long period of action, but in the majority of cases the dosage is only possible by changing the dose when assigning the prescription, since most of the prolonged-release pain relief tablets cannot be broken up.

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Risks & side effects

Tramdol is not very toxic to organs. This means that there is less damage to the stomach, intestines, liver and kidneys than with many other painkillers.

However, there may be side effects after ingestion, mainly nausea and sometimes vomiting - especially in connection with increased physical activity - as well as dizziness and drowsiness as well as blurred vision. You should therefore refrain from driving or using machines while taking Tramadol; this is particularly advisable in the early stages of taking, as the side effects can be increased here. Other less common side effects are headache, changes in appetite, abnormal sensations, slow breathing and incoordination.

Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient tramadol can lead to allergic reactions such as itching, shortness of breath and shock reactions. If these side effects appear, a doctor or emergency service must be called immediately.

In some patients there is a development of dependence, especially after prolonged use; this has been observed above all when the drug is suddenly discontinued. The main manifestations of withdrawal are: fear, nervousness, tremors and hyperactivity.

Panic attacks, hallucinations, abnormal sensations such as tingling and muscle pain, and numbness or ringing in the ears have also been reported very rarely. These side effects after discontinuation can be prevented as far as possible by reducing the dose accordingly.