Definition
Tramal® or Tramadol is a painkiller from the group of opioids. It is used to combat moderate to severe pain. Tramal® is only available in pharmacies and on prescription. However, Tramal® is one of the rare opioid painkillers that are not covered by the narcotics law in Germany.
Active ingredient
Tramal® works through different mechanisms. One mechanism is the blocking of opioid receptors in nervous tissue. The main pain relief is achieved by preventing the reabsorption of a particular substance.
This particular substance is noradrenaline. Noradrenaline has a pain-relieving effect. By preventing reabsorption, norepinephrine circulates longer in the body and can relieve pain.
Another mechanism of tramal is the release of serotonin. Serotonin is also the trigger for undesirable side effects such as nausea. Each person reacts in a different way to certain drugs.
Thus, the type and frequency of the side effects is also different for Tramal® in each person. It is also important to mention that you have to differentiate how you take a medication, whether as a tablet, syringe or ointment. The typical side effects of opioids are less pronounced with Tramal®.
When taking opioids, the most common side effects are constipation and respiratory depression. Especially these opioid-typical side effects hardly occur with Tramal®. If patients suffer from asthma or COPD, Tramal® is an alternative to other opioids because of the rarely occurring respiratory depression.
In addition to the very rare side effects, there are also some that occur very frequently when taking Tramal®. Among the very common side effects are dizziness and nausea. In particular, nausea is a very common side effect that occurs when taking opioids orally, as tablets or injections.
Other side effects that occur more frequently are headache, drowsiness, dry mouth, vomiting or dizziness. In some cases Tramal® may also affect the cardiovascular system. This can lead to a weakened circulation, which can lead to a circulatory collapse, or to an accelerated heartbeat or palpitations.
Side effects of the cardiovascular system are seen when taking Tramal®, especially during physical stress. In rare cases, however, a slowing of the heartbeat (bradycardia) may also occur. Occasionally, skin rashes and itching may occur when taking Tramal®.
However, side effects such as delusions and confusion are rare. It is also important to mention that Tramal® can cause withdrawal symptoms. These develop especially after a longer period of use.
The application and dosage should be specially adapted to the patient and especially to the patient’s age. Patients over 75 years of age may experience increased side effects. This is due to the fact that the body’s ability to excrete decreases, especially with age.
A similar increase in side effects can be observed in patients with impaired kidney and liver function. If Tramal® is used for non-therapeutic purposes and taken in higher doses than allowed, it can also lead to seizures. Another rather rare side effect is a disturbance in urination.
Taking Tramal® can also cause psychiatric disorders in rare cases. These can range from mood changes, altered sensory perception to changes in activity. However, the occurrence of these side effects is very rare and depends on the dosage and duration of use. It is important to inform your doctor immediately if any side effects occur. Especially side effects in the cardiovascular area can have serious consequences and should not be reported to a physician.