Verywell / Gary Ferster
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid.
Its effects are mild enough that doctors often consider it a safer alternative to other opioid painkillers.
But in recent years, many reports of tramadol-related emergency room visits have been reported.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
More and more doctors are reporting tramadol-dependent patients.
And the list of potential tramadol withdrawal symptoms has continued to grow.
Tramadol Withdrawal
Tramadol use is on the rise.
However, rising tramadol prescribing rates may be contributing to increased dependence and misuse.
Between 2005 and 2011, the number of tramadol-related emergency room visits involving misuse increased by 250%.
Tramadol can cause tolerance and dependence whether you are misusing it or taking it therapeutically.
When you become physically dependent on a drug, you experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it.
This is true even when taking it as directed by a doctor.
But unlike traditional opioids, tramadol has a significant effect on several of the brains other neurotransmitters, includingserotonin.
Because of this, you may experience additional withdrawal symptoms, including those more commonly associated withantidepressant withdrawal.
You may sweat and have chills.
You might have trouble sleeping and feel much more irritated and aggravated than usual.
You might also experience varying degrees of anxiety and depression.
When withdrawing from tramadol, you may experience any of the following symptoms:
Everyones withdrawal experience is different.
An opioid use disorder (addiction) presents additional complications.
How long does tramadol withdrawal last?
Tapering tramadol means that you take gradually smaller doses over the course of two or three weeks.
Studies have shown that psychosocial approaches in conjunction with pharmacological interventions may improve outcomes as well.
When done right, a taper should provide a smooth transition off of tramadol.
This is particularly true in cases where anxiety, agitation, or restlessness is present.
It is important to note that benzodiazepines can be habit-forming and should not be used long-term.
They should also never be taken at the same time as opioid medications.
Other drugs used to treat tramadol withdrawal include the hypertension medications clonidine and moxonidine.
These drugs have a history of successfully being used off-label in treatingopioid withdrawal.
Warnings About Tramadol Withdrawal
Some people are at greater risk of a complicated withdrawal.
The majority of these people combine tramadol with another painkiller or sedative.
When people use several therapeutic or illicit drugs at the same time, they can develop multiple physical dependencies.
Tramadol is also associated with seizure activity.
Seizures can occur in people both with and without a history of seizures.
People with a history of seizures ortraumatic brain injurymay be at increased risk during tramadol withdrawal.
Older adults metabolize tramadol slower than younger people.This means that the drug has more powerful effects.
In older adults, withdrawal may start later than normal and be more severe.
Serotonin syndrome is unlikely to occur during withdrawal unless you relapse and take an unusually high dose.
If you misuse or abuse tramadol, then you have a longer road ahead of you.
Misuse vs.
Abuse
A substance use disorder (addiction) is a complex disease with physical and psychological symptoms.
Some people work one-on-one with a drug counselor or psychiatrist who can prescribe medication.
Others prefer the abstinence-based12-step model.
All of these methods have been shown to encourage long-term sobriety.
Research shows that a combination of medication and counseling is the best approach to opioid addiction.
In the long term, many people chose the convenience of a free 12-step group, like Narcotics Anonymous.
These social support groups are offered every day around the country.
At meetings, you swap stories with people who have been where you are.
Resources for Tramadol Withdrawal
To find more information about Narcotics Anonymous check out theirwebsite.
you could find a meeting near you with theirsearchable directory.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Opiate and opioid withdrawal.
2009;11(5):273. doi:10.4088/PCC.08l00690
Simon LV, Keenaghan M.Serotonin Syndrome.
National Institutes of Health.
World Health Organization.Tramadol: Update Review Report Agenda item 6.1.
Expert Committee on Drug Dependence Thirtysixth Meeting.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Mental health and substance use disorders.
Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group, ed.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Published online September 7, 2011.
doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005031.pub4
