It's no secret that medical manipulations can be very painful for patients. Also often, the recovery period after surgery causes a lot of unpleasant sensations that prevent the patient from focusing on his recovery. To alleviate these conditions, doctors prescribe painkillers. Some of them belong to the category of narcotic drugs, therefore they are sold in pharmacies only by prescription and require special care when taking them. One of the most common tools in this category, which is widely used in Russian medicine, is Tramadol. What kind of drug is it and in what cases its purpose is justified - we will tell readers in today's article. We will also report on analogues of this medicine and its contraindications.
Brief description of the drug
Many people who find themselves in a hospital bed due to a serious illness are treated by doctors as Tramadol. What is it - they are trying to figure it out independently according to reviews of friends or via the Internet. Unfortunately, the information obtained is not always complete, and patients may even refuse to take the medicine, making the wrong conclusions about it.
So what is Tramadol? This drug is characterized as an opioid analgesic that relieves pain syndromes of various types. In parallel, it enhances the effect of sedatives and has an antitussive effect.
The drug is prescribed for moderate and severe pain, including cancer patients. For them, there is their own dosage regimen and dosage of Tramadol. Do I need a prescription to buy this medicine? This question is asked by many patients who are recommended to take the drug. Since Tramadol is included in the register of narcotic drugs, no one will sell it to you without a prescription with a special seal.
There are a lot of reviews about Tramadol, so we will definitely analyze them in one of the sections of our article.
Release Forms
The drug described by us is used in medicine very widely, thanks to which it is available in various forms. Although most often prescribed "Tramadol" in capsules and tablets. In the article, we will tell readers about all forms of drug release and indicate the acceptable dosage for them.
So, in what form can we meet Tramadol in pharmacies? Let's look at this issue:
- Tablets. Patients with pain are usually shown exactly the tablet form of the drug. Each tablet contains fifty or one hundred milligrams of active and auxiliary substances. It has a round and flat shape with risks. In white, blotches and a light strawberry flavor are acceptable. The manufacturer produces Tramadol tablets in packs with different quantities. For example, at a dosage of fifty milligrams, you can purchase a box with one, two, three or five blisters, each of which contains ten tablets. If the doctor prescribes you a long-term intake of "Tramadol", then it will be more profitable to purchase the drug in a container. It can contain up to one hundred tablets of pain medication. At a dosage of one hundred milligrams, you can buy medicine in bottles, boxes, containers and cell packages.
- Capsules Outwardly, they look very hard and have a gelatinous shell. Capsules may vary in size and color depending on the manufacturer. Typically, each capsule contains a white powder without interspersing. In pharmacies, they can be purchased in blisters, in cardboard bundles or bottles. The maximum number of capsules per pack is one hundred.
- Tramadol Injection. This form of medicine is available in glass ampoules of one and two milliliters. The substance itself is odorless and colorless; sediment or suspension is also unacceptable.
- Drops. This form appeared in pharmacies not so long ago, but it was quickly evaluated by both doctors and patients. Drops may have a brownish tint and a pronounced aroma of mint. Each bottle is packed in a cardboard box. In volume, it varies from ten to one hundred milliliters.
- Suppositories. "Tramadol" in the form of rectal suppositories has a white color and a torpedo shape. The package can have one or two blisters, each placed up to ten candles.
Keep in mind that each doctor himself chooses the necessary dosage of the Tramadol pain medication and its form. Usually this directly depends on the disease.
The composition of the drug
Since the drug is produced in different versions, its composition varies depending on the form of release. Only the active substance, tramadol hydrochloride, remains unchanged. It is in one or another quantity contained in all drugs produced under the name "Tramadol":
- in one milliliter of its solution fifty milligrams;
- in a candle - about a hundred milligrams;
- tablets and capsules may contain fifty or one hundred milligrams of the main active substance;
- in one milliliter drops, one hundred milligrams of the main component.
The drug also has a number of excipients, for each form of release they are also their own. For tablets, for example, this list is as follows:
- sodium saccharin ;
- lactose;
- flavoring;
- cellulose and so on.
In the solution, the amount of auxiliary components is minimal:
- water for injections;
- sodium acetate.
All substances are harmless to health, however, the manufacturer admits that an individual allergic reaction may occur to some components in patients.
"Tramadol": indications for use
The drug is prescribed for the relief of pain in the following cases:
- oncology;
- injuries
- postoperative period.
Often, a drug helps to reduce pain during various medical procedures.
In some cases, the use of the drug in dentistry, neurology and rheumatology is permissible. However, in any case, the advisability of its appointment is determined only by the attending physician.
Contraindications
The instructions for use with Tramadol tablets (as well as with other forms of release) indicate that the drug has a number of contraindications. Each patient should carefully read these points, because the attending physician may not be aware of some of his health problems, which are an obstacle to taking pain medication.
This list may look like this:
- poisoning with analgesics or alcohol intoxication of the body;
- renal or liver failure;
- in the form of a medication that alleviates the "withdrawal" syndrome;
- diagnosed suicidal tendencies and depression;
- age up to a year when we talk about drops, and a period up to fourteen years in other cases;
- pregnancy;
- GW;
- hypersensitivity to opioids.
In addition to the contraindications already described above, there is a category of patients who need to be prescribed Tramadol with great caution. Most often, they suffer from a number of the following symptoms and diseases:
- epilepsy and cramps;
- head injuries;
- hypertonic disease;
- pain of an uncertain nature in the abdominal cavity.
During treatment with Tramadol, you can’t use alcohol, you should also refrain from driving vehicles and from working with mechanisms that require a high concentration of attention.
It should be borne in mind that with prolonged use of the drug, patients can become addictive. Therefore, during treatment, you must strictly adhere to the dosage indicated by the doctor.
Instructions for use "Tramadol": tablets and capsules
The drug must be washed down with plenty of clean water, without chewing. If necessary, it can be dissolved in water. For these purposes, one hundred and twenty-five milliliters of liquid will suffice.
Most often, medication begins with the lowest possible dose. It is fifty milligrams per day. If the desired effect does not occur within an hour, then you can drink another pill.
However, a single dosage of Tramadol should not exceed one hundred milligrams. A day you can take no more than four hundred milligrams of pain medication.
It is worth considering that older people need to take long breaks between taking pills. This is due to their slow metabolism. Tramadol capsules are taken in the same manner as tablets. On the patient's body, they have an identical effect.
Drops dosage
The action of "Tramadol" does not change depending on its form of release, however, each has its own specific dosage regimen and dosage. Drops should be diluted with a small amount of liquid, it does not matter, before or after a meal you will begin to take them. You can also drip "Tramadol" on a piece of sugar, in this form, for many patients, its taste seems more pleasant.
A single dose is twenty drops, a day you can take no more than one hundred and sixty drops. A drug in this form is sometimes prescribed for children under fourteen years of age. If your doctor considers it necessary to prescribe such a strong medicine for a child, then its amount should be calculated according to the following scheme: one to two milligrams per kilogram of weight. In terms of age, the dosage may be as follows:
- one year - from four to eight drops;
- three years - twelve drops;
- six years - from eight to sixteen drops;
- nine years - up to twenty-four drops at a time;
- from twelve to fourteen years to thirty-six drops.
The bottle "Tramadol" is equipped with a very convenient lid with protection against children. The child himself will not be able to open it, which is very important when it comes to such a strong drug.
Rectal suppositories: how to apply
Usually in this form, the drug is prescribed up to four times a day. The patient must administer one suppository. The interval between taking the medicine should be at least four hours. Better if this period is six hours.
Injections: dosage
Anesthetic in the form of injections can be entered in three ways:
- intravenously;
- intramuscularly;
- subcutaneously.
The initial dose of the drug is one milliliter. If relief does not occur, then after an hour you can enter again the same amount of solution. With very severe pain, a single dose increases to two milliliters.
Up to eight milliliters of Tramadol can be taken per day. The indicated dosage should never be exceeded.
Instructions for use of the drug by cancer patients
To find out how to take Tramadol for oncology, you can only at your doctor. An individual intake schedule is compiled for each patient, depending on the course of the disease, it is adjusted.
Usually in the case of cancer patients, a single dosage is never less than one hundred milligrams. Therefore, addiction to the drug and “withdrawal” syndrome often occurs after stopping its use.
Side effects
Tramadol and its analogues have a fairly extensive list of side effects. You need to know about them before you start taking the medicine, because if it worsens, it must be stopped immediately.
The cardiovascular system can respond to Tramadol with tachycardia, hypotension and collapse.
From the digestive system, the following reaction range is possible:
- constipation;
- diarrhea;
- dry mouth
- nausea;
- vomiting and flatulence.
The most actively responds to the administration of the central nervous system. Patients may feel general malaise, weakness, some kind of lethargy, increased sweating and fatigue. In addition, severe headaches and dizziness, a sharp change of mood, anxiety and irritability, sleep problems (drowsiness or, conversely, insomnia), memory loss and impaired coordination are possible.
Allergic reactions to the drug are also possible. They manifest themselves as itching, burning and rash.
Some patients noted impaired taste and vision, as well as problems with urination.
Most doctors argue that the drug can not be abolished abruptly. Its dosage is reduced gradually, otherwise patients begin to feel a deterioration in well-being.
Overdose
In some cases, intoxication with Tramadol is possible. What is it and how is it manifested? From the point of view of medicine, this situation can be called poisoning. It is expressed by vomiting, convulsions, breath holding and can go into the stage of coma.
At the first symptoms of drug intoxication, it is necessary to immediately hospitalize the patient. It is impossible to give him qualified help at home.
How should Tramadol be stored?
The manufacturer recommends keeping the medicine away from sunlight and high humidity. Also, you can not place the medicine in places where children can easily get it. The shelf life of the drug in different forms also varies. For example, ampoules can, subject to the above measures, be stored for up to five years. In this case, the temperature should not exceed twenty-five degrees Celsius.
Tablets and capsules have a similar (with the already described) shelf life. But drops, even in a closed bottle, can be stored for no more than three years. The temperature regime recommended by the manufacturer is indicated within twenty-five degrees of heat.
Suppositories are suitable for use for approximately three years, the storage temperature can reach thirty degrees of heat.
Additional Information
Tramadol is strictly forbidden to use with other narcotic drugs. Together, they can cause an absolutely unpredictable reaction that can lead to death.
It was noted that patients taking carbamazepine for a long time are less sensitive to the active component of Tramadol. They are usually prescribed it in an increased dosage or they are looking for another effective drug.
Analogues of the drug
There are quite a lot of Tramadol analogues, but they are not used too often. Since the original drug cannot be classified as expensive, it is rarely sought for a cheaper replacement.
Most often, patients who are allergic to Tramadol are interested in the topic of analogues. The following medicines can be advised to them:
- "Zaldiar."
- "Tramal."
- "Tramadol-M".
- Para-Tral.
Each of these drugs is sold only by prescription.
Reviews on taking the remedy
This drug is often discussed in various forums. Due to the fear of getting used to it, many patients refuse to take it in the postoperative period, even with severe pain. However, doctors are sure that if you follow the instructions and dosage, there will be no problems with the medicine and its withdrawal.
So, what kind of feedback about Tramadol do people leave? Most patients confirm that the drug in any form well relieves pain. Thanks to him, almost any manipulation becomes painless. This is an undoubted advantage of the drug.
However, with the slightest dosage excess, in almost ninety percent of cases, an addictive effect occurs. In the future, when Tramadol is canceled, a number of unpleasant sensations arise, and some patients note a psychological dependence on the drug. This group needs the help of a psychologist in order to refuse pills.
Sometimes in reviews you can find information that when Tramadol was canceled, patients tried to replace it with other painkillers. But this practice is not fraught with getting rid of dependence, but with aggravation of the situation. Therefore, in cases where there is addiction to the drug, you should immediately seek help from your doctor.
In conclusion, I would like to repeat that with the correct use of Tramadol, it is absolutely safe even for children. And in many situations, only this drug is effective and can be prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, do not hesitate if you have been prescribed this drug, and be sure to take it in accordance with the scheme developed by the doctor.