Fibromyalgia and Tramadol

Tramadol is an opioid analgesic. Its exact mechanism of action is not yet completely understood, but it is thought to alter pain perception by binding to receptors in the brain that are important in transmitting the sensation of pain from the body.

Tramadol is a stronger analgesic that may be recommended to fibromyalgia patients if medications like acetaminophen or NSAID's are not helpful.

Tramadol produces pain relief within an hour after administration. Like other narcotic analgesics, long-term use of tramadol increases the patients risk of mental or physical dependence.

Read more details about Tramadol.

Tramadol has been studied for fibromyalgia pain. It was used alone or in combination with acetaminophen and was found effective in randomized clinical trials.

Oral tramadol is available in immediate and extended release tablets. The extended release forms are usually reserved for treating chronic pain which needs continuous treatment. informed that the extended-release tablets are for oral use only and should be swallowed whole. The tablets should not be chewed, crushed, or split.

For patients who need rapid analgesic effect, 50 mg to 100 mg of tramadol can be given as needed for pain relief every 4 to 6 hours. The daily dose should not to exceed 400 mg.

In conditions that cause mild to moderate severe chronic pain where rapid onset of analgesia is not required, an initial dose 24 mg may be given every morning. To improve tolerance, the dose should be increased in 25 mg increments every 3 days to reach a daily dose of 100 mg/day taken in 4 divided doses. The daily dose may be increased by 50 mg as tolerated every 3 days to reach 200 mg per day taken as 50 mg 4 times daily. After titration, 50 to 100 mg of tramadol can be taken as needed every 4 to 6 hours, the daily dose should not exceed 400 mg.

For moderate to moderately severe chronic pain that require around-the-clock treatment, extended-release tablets may be prescribed. The initial dose is 100 mg once daily and increased as necessary by 100 mg increments every five days depending upon the improvement of symptoms and tolerability. The maximum daily dose for extended-release forms is 300 mg.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.

• If you have a history of drug or alcohol addiction, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have PKU, talk with healthcare provider. Some products do contain phenylalanine.

• If you have seizures, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have attempted suicide, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Headache.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Seizures.

• Poor pain control.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe constipation.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.