Tramadol 50mg Dosage

Tramadol, a man-made pain reliever that works by inhibiting the transmission of pain sensations from the opioid receptors in the brain throughout the entire body, is a widely prescribed analgesic most recommended by doctors for the treatment of moderate to severe levels of pain. It is not an NSAID, so it is free from the usual severe risks of NSAIDs such as stomach ulceration and internal bleeding. However, tramadol is essentially a narcotic, which means that this poses a different kind of risk, that of abuse, physical dependence, as well as overdose.

To avoid these risks, it is important that a patient prescribed with tramadol take the drug with caution. It should be taken only at the right dosage prescribed by the doctor and only for the prescribed period. It should not be taken in higher dosages or for longer periods.

Tramadol Recommended Dosage

The recommended dosage of tramadol depends on the severity of pain and for how long treatment is necessary.

If the pain is mild to moderate but chronic and requires rapid relief, the recommended dosage is 25 mg every morning for the initial dose, plus a titration of 25 mg increases every 3 days to reach 100 mg per day, divided into 4 dosages of 25 mg each. After that, the daily dose may still be increased by 5 mg with an interval of 3 days until the dosage reaches 200 mg per day, divided into 4 dosages of 50 mg each. For maintenance, which may be required after titration, tramadol can be takn as needed with intervals of 4 to 6 hours between each dose. The recommended maintaining dose is 50 mg to 100 mg. A patient should not exceed 400 mg of tramadol in a day.

For the treatment of moderate to severe pain that is also chronic and requires 24/7 treatment for an extended period of time, the recommended form is Tramadol ER or the Extended Release tablets. The initial dose for these tablets is 100 mg but should be taken strictly only once a day. It can be eventually titrated, if necessary, by 100 mg increments with a 5-day interval between each increase. Titration would depend on tolerability and response to the body. A patient taking the Extended Release tablets should not exceed the maximum dose of 300 mg in a day. Take note that the maximum daily dose for the ER tablets is lower because the formulation is higher.

In cases where the tramadol medication causes some adverse effects, the patient and the doctor can decide on whether to discontinue the drug. As a general rule, the drug should be discontinued unless the benefits or the need for tramadol outweighs the risks posed by adverse effects. However, if adverse effects have been observed, the dosage should be especially controlled down to 50 mg to 100 mg taken every 4 to 6 hours, without exceeding the maximum daily dose.

Tramadol Dosage for Geriatrics

Tramadol can also be used for pain management in the geriatrics field. The maximum daily dose depends on the age bracket the patient belongs to. For patients between age 65 and 75, dosage should start at the lowest possible level since it is at this age range that the body is most vulnerable to possibly adverse effects on the hepatic, renal, and cardiac systems.

For patients 75 years and older, the only rule is that dosage not exceed the maximum daily dose set for geriatric use which is 300 mg per day.

Tramadol Dosage for Pediatrics

The safety and efficacy of tramadol for pediatric patients are not established and should best be avoided. The youngest age at which tramadol may be used is 16 years old and above. The initial dose should be 100 mg taken only once a day. Dosage can be titrated by increments of 100 mg with gaps of 2 to 3 days in between each increase to reach the maximum daily dose of 300 mg in a day.

Tramadol Overdose and Abuse Warnings

Tramadol medication should not be taken lightly, as there is a fatal risk associated with overdose of the said drug. One of the gravest risks a patient taking high and excessive doses of tramadol is seizure. Other overdose symptoms include labored breathing, clammy or cold skin, slow heartbeat, extreme weakness, lightheadedness, fainting, cardiac arrest, or even coma. The sooner medical attention is provided, the less extreme the outcome will be. There are certain drugs and techniques used to treat tramadol overdose, but there is only a given window of time within which the effects may be reversed.

On the other hand, in some cases, taking excessive dosages for extended periods of time leads to abuse of the drug and physical dependence and, possibly, addiction.

Knowing all the fundamental information about the medication that you are taking is very essential to empower your health care. It is unfortunately undeniable that many people who take timely medications do not know what is that they are taking while ignoring the necessity to become aware about certain medications. Nevertheless, you must always bear in mind that learning the vital information about your medication is always the key to achieving optimum recovery health from illness. Learn some crucial information about Tamadol 50mg to efficiently relieve your pain.

How to Start Taking Tramadol

In a tablet formulation, Tramadol 50mg is proven to be an effective pain relief medication treating moderate to moderately severe levels of pain intensity. It may be orally taken with or without food. When you consult your doctor for pain issue, he may prescribe you to purchase Tramadol to free you from the discomfort. The prescribing physician may start you on a low dose of Tramadol 50mg and gradually increase the dosage not more frequent than every 3 days. The usual frequency for Tramadol administration is scheduled at every 4-6 hours intervals. You must follow what is specifically written on the prescription, pertaining to the dosage and frequency, as serious side effects may aggravate your condition when otherwise taken. Always ask your doctor or the pharmacist to address any part that you do not understand about Tramadol indications and contraindications. Take Tramadol 50mg as exactly prescribed.

Difference between Immediate and Extended Release Tablets

Tramadol is available in immediate release (50mg) and extended release formulations (100, 200, 300mg). The immediate release tablet literally releases the medicine’s active ingredient within a short period of time which is typically less than 30 minutes after intake. On the other hand, the extended release tablets release their ingredient within a longer period of time, typically ranging from 8, 12, 16, or 24 hours. The extended release tablets are normally reserved for patients who require continuous or around the clock, long term treatment for pain (chronic). Before placing Tramadol 50mg order from the local drug store nearby or through the internet, you must be foremost aware of the uses and side effects of the drug. Tramadol is not an anti-inflammatory drug but rather a synthetic analgesic which means that patients who are unable to take anti-inflammatory medication due to their conditions can still make use of it to relieve themselves from pain.

When Combined with Other Medication

Before taking Tramadol 50mg, tell your doctor about other medications that you are taking, be it prescription, non-prescription drugs or herbal products. The combination of Tramadol to other medications can cause life-threatening side effects. Some medications that may interact with Tramadol include mixed narcotic agonist-antagonists, narcotic antagonists, MAO inhibitors, drugs that increase serotonin level such as dextromethorphan, lithium, St. John’s wort, sibutramine, street drugs, anti-depressants, among others. Some medications that can affect the elimination of Tramadol from your body which may alter the efficacy of medication include HIV drugs, quinidine, macrolide antibiotics, rifamycins, only to name a few. Furthermore, you should also speak with your doctor if you are taking other drugs such as cough and cold medications, anti-anxiety drugs, medicines to induce sleep, muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers, psychiatric medicines and alcohol intake. More serious complications from drug interaction can happen if taken without prior doctor’s consultation.

Who Should Not Take Tramadol

While Tramadol 50mg is generally well indicated to treat pain, you may unfortunately NOT pursue this medication when you have previously demonstrated hypersentivity to Tramadol. Alongside all of the aforementioned drug interaction/combination, cases of acute intoxication with alcohol, hypnotics, opioids, centrally acting analgesics, serotoninergic drugs and psychotropic drugs may also contraindicate your tolerance for Tramadol use. Respiratory disorder can result when medication is combined with other depressants, which can ultimately lead to death. Pregnant and nursing mothers are also not recommended for this pain treatment because its safety in infants and newborns has not been studied yet. Same goes in patients under 16 years of age, while elderly subjects over the age of 75 years must be closely monitored when under Tramadol care. You must also tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver ailment, or history of alcohol and drug dependence before even taking into consideration buying Tramadol to free you from the current pain.
Knowing the indications, contraindications, side effects, and adverse reactions of Tramadol 50mg to the body is a consumer’s right. Therefore, do not hesitate to ask and clarify with your physician and pharmacist about drug-related issues before taking this pain medication.