Tramadol is a lesser-known prescription drug that sits in the shadow of notorious narcotics like Fentanyl, OxyContin, and Vicodin; however, recent headlines have many in the U.S. asking, “Is tramadol a narcotic? Is tramadol an opioid? Is tramadol addictive?” Not only were opioids responsible for 28,466 deaths in 2017, the Wall Street Journal reported in 2016 that tramadol is killing more people than heroin in Northern Ireland.1 As the worldwide opioid crisis continues, there is a growing awareness of the danger of tramadol side effects, including overdose and addiction.2
Tramadol is a narcotic opioid pain reliever with similar effects to morphine and codeine.3 Unlike other opioids, it also acts as a stimulant. Opioids were initially developed as a pain reliever, and they mimic the effects of the opium poppy. They work by altering the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.4
The medication treats symptoms of moderate to severe pain in adults, especially osteoarthritis, and is currently sold under the brand names Conzip, Qdolo, and Ultracet (which also contains Acetaminophen).5
In 2014, tramadol became a controlled substance, but it wasn’t considered an opioid when first approved for marketing in the U.S. in 1995.6 Now, tramadol has a Schedule IV rating, which indicates a relatively low potential for misuse and dependence.7
Other examples of Schedule IV drugs include:7
Even though there is a low risk of dependence, there is a limit to the number of times tramadol can be refilled, and new prescriptions are required for the medication to continue.8
Tramadol comes as a tablet or liquid solution. In 2018, 36.5 million tramadol prescriptions were written in the U.S. A fast-acting version is taken every 4–6 hours, whereas an extended-release tablet or capsule should only be taken two times per day. It’s vital to talk to a doctor about any medications taken with tramadol since tramadol interactions can cause medical problems. Those who take tramadol for pain start with a lower dose and gradually increase.9
According to data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), between 2005–2011 emergency room visits that involved the misuse or abuse of tramadol grew by 250%10 A 2019 study by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an average of 1.6 million people misused tramadol between 2017–2019, and 0.5% of the population misused tramadol in the last year. Overwhelmingly, the drug was abused by taking more than the recommended dose or using tramadol from someone else’s prescription.11 Around 11% misused the drug to get high, 10% for relaxation, and almost 4% for both sleep and emotional regulation. Only 1.9% reported abusing the drug because they were “hooked.”
Street names for tramadol include Chill Pills, Trammies, and Ultras.12
As with all opioids, tramadol side effects range from mild to life-threatening. These symptoms include:
More severe tramadol side effects range from hives, nausea, and sexual dysfunction to acute liver failure, seizure, and loss of consciousness.
Any slowed breathing or shortness of breath is cause for concern. Tramadol isn’t recommended for those with:
It’s dangerous for pregnant women. It could also be dangerous for kids under 12 or teens under 18 to have their tonsils or adenoids taken out.
Tramadol interactions can also pose health risks. It’s dangerous to combine tramadol and alcohol or street drugs. Mixing tramadol and alcohol can cause side effects that could be deadly. Other potentially harmful tramadol interactions with medications, include:
Supplements, herbal products, and medications for irregular heartbeat, HIV, or migraines are also contra-indicated.
Tramadol can be addictive, and the chances of dependency increase when there is a family history of addiction, personal history of addiction, or mental illness.Besides substance use disorders, dependency is common among health professionals and some people who take tramadol for pain. Signs of an addiction include drug-seeking behavior and illegal actions to obtain drugs. Tramadol withdrawal, tolerance, and cravings can also be signs of addiction.1
Tramadol withdrawal occurs when drug use stops suddenly. Common symptoms are:
Around 90% of people experiencing tramadol withdrawal have flu-like symptoms, while the other 10% experience confusion, paranoia, extreme anxiety, numbness, and even hallucinations.
It’s possible to overdose on tramadol, especially if more than 400mg is taken in one day or if an extended-release tablet is chewed instead of swallowed.13 Signs of a tramadol overdose are:
Naloxone can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose when administered quickly.
Withdrawal symptoms can make it harder to stop using tramadol. These symptoms can be relieved with slow tapering of the drug in tandem with lorazepam and clonidine for anxiety. Addressing a tramadol use disorder can be very similar to addressing an opioid use disorder as the drug and withdrawal symptoms act similarly.
Inpatient and outpatient treatment have proven effective for treating opioid use disorder. These treatments involve either staying full time at a treatment center or living at home while attending treatment during the day.
Additionally, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help manage underlying mental health issues, teach ways to handle stress better and overcome negative thinking.
Gregory Ng is the CEO of Brooks Bell. In his nearly 25 years in marketing, Greg has created innovative solutions leading to digital and cognitive transformations for the biggest high-tech, retail and financial brands in the world. Greg adds knowledge in marketing strategy, content production, and brand awareness to the AHV advisory board.
Hunt Broyhill holds several positions within the Broyhill family offices and serves as President, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of BMC Fund and Chief Executive Officer of Broyhill Asset Management. Hunt brings valuable experience in capital allocation, real estate, and investor relations to the AHV advisory board.
Alan Hughes was formerly the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. In addition to BCBS, Alan held officer positions in both operations and technology at GE Commercial Finance, Deutsche Bank, and American Express. Alan brings a unique combination of efficient process design and technological problem solving to the AHV advisory board.
Lynn is the CEO of Broadstep. Previously, Lynn held various roles in both healthcare and finance where she oversaw multi-site, multi-state organizations within primary care, acute and chronic services, hospitals, and pharmacies. Lynn brings valuable experience in healthcare leadership, recruiting, and growth strategy to the AHV advisory board.
John Roos is the retired Senior Vice President and Chief Growth Officer for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Under Roos’s tenure, the company’s revenue grew from $1.5 billion to $9.5 billion, while adding 1 million members. John brings valuable experience in growth strategy, enterprise sales, and provider contracting to the AHV advisory board.
Dr. Hendree Jones is the Executive Director of UNC-Horizons and an internationally recognized expert in behavioral and pharmacologic treatments for pregnant women and their children. Dr. Jones has received continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1994 and has over 200 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Jones is an advisor to the UN, WHO, SAMHSA, ASAM, and ACOG through which she consults throughout the United States and internationally. Dr. Jones brings valuable experience in grant writing, research, and healthcare administration to the AHV advisory board.
Brad is the CEO Emeritus for BCBSNC and Chair of the BCBSNC Foundation. He served as Gov. Jim Hunt’s general counsel and is a past chair of the UNC Board of Governors. Brad serves on numerous public and private boards and is a lifelong North Carolinian with degrees from Appalachian State, Wake Forest, and Duke. He brings valuable experience in healthcare, law, higher education, and politics.
Jake Summers is a passionate entrepreneur who is dedicated to bringing the energy of change to existing healthcare business models and making higher quality healthcare more accessible. Jake co-founded a mango farming/export company in Cambodia and serves as an advisor for a number of small businesses. Jake is the co-founder of Advaita Integrated Medicine and is the Development Director and a Partner of Green Hill.
Tripp Johnson is a serial healthcare entrepreneur who’s dedicated his post-military professional life to serving young adults. He is the co-founder of Advaita Integrated Medicine, Advaita Health Ventures, and Green Hill Recovery. Tripp is passionate about making quality healthcare more affordable and accessible through innovative business models and technology-focused solutions.