Tramadol for effective pain relief: Benefits, Cost and Alternatives
Tramadol is an opioid medication that is used for treating moderate to severe pain. This medication is effective in providing relief for after-surgery and after-injury acute pain. Tramadol is a low-risk medication when used for a short duration. However, using the medication for a longer duration can lead to addiction and dependence. Therefore, there are very few cases where tramadol is prescribed for chronic pain. Doctors only prescribe tramadol for chronic pain when other non-opioid medications are not providing any relief.
Tramadol increases the serotonin level in the body which temporarily reduces anxiety and stress. This helps in alleviating the pain further. Being an opioid-based medication, there are certain risks and adverse effects associated with the use of tramadol. It is strongly advised to follow the prescribed dosage and precautions to avoid these adverse effects. Also, due to the cases of addiction and misuse, a prescription is required to buy Tramadol from online pharmacies or physical stores.
How does Tramadol provide relief?
- Tramadol is an opioid-analgesic that directly affects the brain and central nervous system. It effectively blocks the communication of pain signals between the body and the central nervous system. This blockage of pain signals changes the way our brain reacts to pain.
- Along with blocking the pain signals, tramadol also increases serotonin(“feel-good” chemical) levels in your body. This boost in serotonin levels helps in reducing anxiety and stress which further helps in pain management.
Benefits of Tramadol
- Provides effective relief from after-surgery and after-injury pain.
- Tramadol provides effective pain relief in conditions where other non-opioid medicines show little to no effect.
- When combined with acetaminophen, tramadol can be used for treating pain after dental procedures.
- Tramadol is a comparatively low-risk opioid-based medication for pain management. Studies show that in Osteoarthritis pain treatment, tramadol was ranked lowest for addiction and dependency risks.
- Tramadol is used for treating premature ejaculation as an “off-label” use. Although, it is not recommended as the first choice for PE. The benefits of Tramadol in PE for your particular case may be different. It is strictly advised to consult a doctor before using this medication for PE.
Available form of Tramadol
Tramadol is also available in different forms with specific uses and dosage plans. Doctors will decide the suitable form for you, according to your needs and pain severity. Tramadol is available in the following forms:
- Extended-release
- Dosage available – 100mg, 200mg, 300mg
- Extended-release tramadol is strictly used for severe pain where relief is required for a longer duration.
- It is strictly advised by doctors to avoid chewing, licking or splitting the tablets before use.
- Do not use this form of tramadol for temporary or acute pain.
- Immediate-release
- Dosage available – 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg
- Immediate-release tramadol is used for short-term acute pain.
- The maximum dosage for this medication should not exceed 400 mg/d.
- Liquid (Tramadol Hydrochloride solution)
- Dosage available – 5mg/mL
- Liquid solution is a better option for people who experience difficulty in swallowing tablets and capsules.
It is important to take the prescribed form and dosage to avoid overdosing and addiction risks. Any form of Tramadol medication can be taken with or without food.
Cost of Tramadol
Tramadol is available under the brand names: Ultram, Ultram ER, and Conzip. It is also available in cost-effective generic forms. The price estimates for Tramadol medicine are given below:
- Liquid Solution(5 mg/mL): $400-$500 for 200 ml
- Oral Tablets(50 mg): $30-$60 for 30 tablets
- Oral Tablets(75 mg): $100-$200 for 30 tablets
- Oral Tablets(100 mg): $100-$200 for 30 tablets
The above data only provides a rough estimate of the prices. The actual cost of the medicine can differ depending on the location of the pharmacy, online discount coupons, medical insurance coverage and others.
Alternatives available for Tramadol
The effectiveness of tramadol depends on the mental and physical health of the patient. There may be cases, where this medication might not be effective. There are multiple pain relief medications available for such cases, some of them are listed below:
Ibuprofen
- This is an NSAID medication that is used to relieve minor pain. Ibuprofen can be a good alternative to tramadol in case of mild pain. The risks of using Ibuprofen are significantly lower than the risks associated with the use of opioid medications.
Acetaminophen
- This is a non-opioid-based medication that is used to manage moderate pain. It is also a low-risk pain-relief medication that can be used as an alternative to Tramadol. Acetaminophen is generally a good choice for short-term pain relief. It is best to avoid opioid medication for mild and non-severe pain.
Naproxen
- It is a non-opioid alternative to tramadol and is effective for pain relief. However, Naproxen is less potent than tramadol in severe pain relief. At the same time, the risks associated with Naproxen are significantly lower than those associated with Tramadol.
Diclofenac
- Diclofenac is considered a better alternative to Tramadol. It is regarded as a safer option because there are no risks of addiction and dependence related to Diclofenac.
Stronger Opioids
- We have seen some of the non-opioid-based alternatives of tramadol. These non-opioid-based alternatives are not very helpful in managing severe pain. In such cases, stronger and more potent options are used. Oxycodone and Hydrocodone, are two examples of stronger and more potent alternatives of Tramadol. Both medicines are used when the pain is too severe and cannot be treated with Tramadol.
Do not use any of the alternatives without consulting with a medical professional. A medical consultancy is mandatory before using tramadol or its alternatives. Dentis Healthcare provides experienced consultancy regarding the use of strong medications. Our dental professionals are well aware of the risks associated with the inappropriate use of opioid medication like Tramadol. This is why they provide experience-based guidance after prescribing these strong medications.
Possible risks involved with the medication
There are certain risks involved with the use of Opioid medications. It is an important part of the treatment to learn about these risks. This can help to avoid fatal health risks in the future. It is recommended to use the medication under constant medical supervision. These risks are not certain and their severity depends on your medical condition. There are cases where the treatment is completed without any complications. However, everyone who is currently using, or planning to use tramadol must be aware of these risks.
Misusing tramadol or inappropriately using the medication can lead to the following risks:
- Addiction and Dependence on the medication
- Respiratory Depression
- Stopping the treatment immediately can lead to withdrawal symptoms
- Taking more than the prescribed dosage can cause severe opioid overdosing
- Using Tramadol during breastfeeding and pregnancy leads to severe consequences for the infant
- In the worst case, misusing tramadol and using it with other substances(alcohol and other medications) without consulting a doctor can be life-threatening.
Conclusion
To conclude in simple terms, tramadol is an effective medicine for treating acute and short-term pain. This is a prescribed medicine therefore, a valid prescription from a licensed medical professional is required to buy and use the medicine. Tramadol is prescribed for different types of pain including, after-surgery, after-injury, post-dental procedure and chronic pain. In addition to pain relief, tramadol is also effective in treating medical conditions including PE, restless leg syndrome and anxiety relief.
To ensure a safer treatment with tramadol, follow the prescribed dosage. It is also important to follow all the precautions as advised by the doctors. To detect any adverse effects of the medicine in the early stage, frequently visit your doctors for regular health checkups.
FAQs
No, it is not safe to drink alcohol while taking Tramadol. Using these two together can lead to severe central nervous system depression. It can have life-threatening consequences, therefore it is strictly advised to avoid alcohol.
Yes, tramadol can be prescribed for chronic pain. However, using tramadol for a long duration can lead to addiction and dependence. Doctors will prescribe you tramadol for chronic pain, depending on your medical condition and the severity of the pain.
The pain relief effects of tramadol are experienced within 30 to 60 minutes of taking the medicine.
There are no harmful interactions of tramadol with food items. You can take the medication with or without food, based on personal preference.
Yes, tramadol is considered to be a safer opioid medication when compared with stronger opioids like Oxycodone and Hydrocodone. Using the medicine inappropriately and for a longer duration can cause addiction and dependence.
Yes, tramadol can be used to manage pain in cats and dogs. Before giving tramadol to your pet, consult a vet to avoid any adverse effects.
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