Common and Serious Tramadol Side Effects

Tramadol is a medication specially formulated for the treatment of moderate to severe pain; it works as a narcotic analgesic. Tramadol works in the brain and changes how you perceive, feel, and respond to pain.

This medication should be taken orally and as directed by your doctor. The prescription is usually taken every 4 to 6 hours, depending on the pain. This drug can be taken with or without food. If you suffer from nausea, it is better to take this drug with food.

The dosage will be based on the severity of your medical condition and how your body responds to the treatment.

Pain relievers work best if they are taken at the first signs of pain. If you wait too long, with the belief that the pain will go away, the pain may just worsen and the medication may not work as well as when used at the first sign of pain.

If you have ongoing pain such as arthritis, your doctor may prescribe a long-acting narcotic medications. Your doctor will know if you will be safe to take tramadol with other medications.

Side Effects of Tramadol

There are many common and serious tramadol side effects, and to avoid the risk of experiencing them, it is best to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

Common Side Effects of Tramadol

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Headache

These tramadol side effects may decrease after taking this medication for some time. If any of these tramadol side effects persist or get worse you should immediately tell your doctor or pharmacist about it.

To prevent constipation when taking tramadol, eat a diet with a sufficient amount of fiber, drink lots of water, and do regular exercise. You can also take a laxative that will help loosen up stool.

To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness do not get up abruptly; try getting up slowly when rising from a lying or sitting position.

Serious Side Effects of Tramadol:

• Mood change such as: confusion, agitation and hallucination
• Sever abdominal pains or stomach spasms
• Difficulty in urinating

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely tramadol side effects occur.

Rare but Serious Side Effects of Tramadol:

• Seizure
• Fainting
• Hard time breathing
• Drowsiness
• Difficulty waking up

Get immediate medical help if you have experienced any one of these rare but serious side effects of tramadol.

To reduce the risk of side effects, your doctor may order you to start taking tramadol at a low dose and will gradually increase the dose depending on the response of your pain.