Tramadol

Tramadol is a morphine-like painkiller and has an inhibiting effect on pain signals in the brain. This effect comes from the active substance opium. In the medical world, medicines with opium are referred to as opiates.

What is tramadol used for?

In practice, tramadol is prescribed as a muscle relaxant, mainly because of its calming effect. However, because of its strong painkilling effect, tramadol can also be used for nerve pain, joint pain, or severe pain after an operation.

When prescribing pain medication, the so-called pain ladder is often used. This is a step-by-step plan designed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Within this plan, tramadol is only prescribed when milder pain medication such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medicines, for example diclofenac or ibuprofen, do not help or do not help enough.

What are the possible side effects of tramadol?

As well as the desired effect, tramadol can cause side effects. The most common side effects, occurring in 10 to 30 out of 100 people, are nausea, drowsiness, sleepiness, and possibly reduced concentration. Therefore, during the first two weeks of taking tramadol, there is a ban on driving. After that, it depends on any side effects.

Less common, in 1 to 10 out of 100 people, are constipation, a dry mouth, dizziness, itching, and rash. The last two may indicate hypersensitivity to the active substances.

This is a brief overview of the possible side effects of tramadol. A more detailed list is given in the package leaflet.

Where is tramadol available?

Tramadol has been on the market since 1977 and is only available if prescribed by a medical specialist. It is available in tablet form, capsules, drops, suppositories, and injections. Tramadol is sold under the brand names Tramagetic and Tramal or as generic tramadol. Entirely according to the pain ladder, it can also be prescribed in combination with paracetamol, for example, under the brand name Zaldiar.