How Strong is Tramadol?
Tramadol is a potent painkiller, only used to treat moderate or severe pain. It’s often abused to produce the desired euphoria, which makes it very addictive.
Tramadol is a potent painkiller, only used to treat moderate or severe pain. In most cases, medical professionals will only prescribe Tramadol as a short-term treatment option, as it can be extremely habit-forming. This prescription medication typically comes in capsule form and is usually taken orally. It can also be ingested in liquid form (in a dropper full of a liquid substance placed on the tongue) or intravenously. However, Tramadol is only intravenously administered in a hospital setting, under the care of a team of physicians. Tramadol, like other painkillers, blocks pain signals that travel from the central nervous system to the brain. Several side effects are liable to occur even if the drug is being taken as prescribed. These side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea.
Regarding strength, Tramadol lies somewhere between mild painkillers (non-narcotic painkillers) and potent painkillers (like fentanyl, a synthetic opioid). Tramadol is considered to be quite strong. It is recommended that those prescribed the medication take no more than 400mg daily. A higher dosage than this could lead to physical and psychological dependency and other serious issues.
Tramadol – Potent and Fast-Acting
Tramadol is a fast-acting painkiller, meaning the effects take hold rather quickly – generally within 30 minutes to an hour. This is part of why the medication is used to treat short-term pain, like the pain that results from a surgical procedure or the pain that sets in after an injury (an injury that will quickly heal). When prescribing this specific medication, physicians will determine an appropriate dosage. The dosage will vary on a person-to-person basis. Prescribing physicians should conduct an in-depth assessment before administering a drug as strong as Tramadol, considering things like genetic propensity for addiction and all underlying disorders. However, because the drug is so addictive, it is impossible to determine who will develop a substance abuse disorder and who will not.
Certain factors make the development of a serious issue more likely. If you or someone you love has been struggling with a Tramadol addiction, seeking professional help at your earliest convenience will be necessary. We have extensive experience treating those who have developed physical and psychological dependencies on Tramadol and all other potent painkillers at Absolute Awakenings. Call us to learn more about our comprehensive Tramadol addiction recovery program.
Tramadol Addiction Recovery
If the signs of Tramadol abuse are recognized and treated early on, the development of physician dependency will be less likely. Some more common symptoms of Tramadol abuse include changes in appetite that often lead to weight loss, drowsiness, slurred speech, an inability to focus the eyes/loss of vision, nausea and vomiting, intense headaches, and impaired coordination. In addition, some more common symptoms of Tramadol addiction include severe gastrointestinal issues, high fever, profuse sweating, dizziness, muscle spasms, anxiety, and depression.
As previously mentioned, the highest dosage that should be consumed in one day is 400mg. Those who take Tramadol in higher doses are likely to experience serious and often life-threatening health-related complications, such as seizures, strokes, and coma. In short – Tramadol is strong. It is a potent painkiller, and those that take it for an extended period will generally experience some degree of consequences – whether those consequences have to do with severe side effects or the ultimate development of a Tramadol addiction disorder. If you or someone you love has been struggling with painkiller addiction and is looking for a way out, give us a call today to learn more about our comprehensive and effective addiction treatment programs at Absolute Awakenings.
References
- Tramadol: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage, Warnings. Drugs.com. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://www.drugs.com/tramadol.html
- Tramadol (Oral Route) Side Effects – Mayo Clinic. Accessed January 19, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/tramadol-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20068050
- Ramos-Matos CF, Bistas KG, Lopez-Ojeda W. Fentanyl. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022. Accessed January 19, 2023. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459275/
