Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain and to moderate to severe chronic pain.
Tramadol should not be taken if the patient has a history of alcohol or drug addiction. It should not be taken also if you are intoxicated.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
Decreased size of the pupil (the black circle in the center of the eye), difficulties in breathing, extreme drowsiness, unconsciousness, coma, seizure and heart attack.
Important Reminders before taking Tramadol:
Take tramadol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take more than 300 milligrams in one day. Do not stop using this medication without talking to your doctor. You may in time need to slowly reduce the dose. Withdrawal symptoms may occur when you stop using tramadol and they are the following: anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Call your doctor right away if you experience any of those symptoms.
A tramadol overdose can be fatal. So while you are taking tramadol, do not drink alcohol or use a drug that makes you sleepy (such as cold medicine, other pain medications, and muscle relaxants, medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety).
These drugs may slow your breathing or increase drowsiness when used together with tramadol. Like any other drug, tramadol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or give you allergic reactions. It is not advisable to take this medicine when you are planning to drive or requires you to do anything that you need to be mentally alert.
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, a stomach disorder or history of mental illness or suicide attempts in the past. Do not use tramadol during pregnancy; it may be harmful to the unborn baby. It can cause fatal side effects in a new born if the mother uses the medication during pregnancy.