The Benefits of Tramadol

Submitted April 3, 2007

An acting analgesic, Tramadol is mainly used for treating pain that ranges from moderate to severe. Tramadol is a synthetic agent—a four-phenyl-piperindine analogue of Codeine—which appears to have actions on the GABAergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic systems. Developed by the German pharmaceutical company, Grünenthal GmbH, Tramadol was marketed under the trade name Tramal. Grünenthal also cross-licensed the drug to several other pharmaceutical companies which marked it under assorted names. Tramadol is normally marketed as Tramadol Hydrochloride (hydrochloride salt), which is available in intravenous and oral preparations (Ultram in the United States, Zytram in Canada and Spain, Zydol in the United Kingdom, and Calmador in Argentina). In conjunction with paracetamol as Tramacet, dosages vary depending on degree of pain by the patient. Tramadol is about 10% as potent as morphine, when given by the intravenous method. Oral doses usually range from 50-400 mg daily (up to 600 mg daily via an intravenous route). The ‘combination’ pills each contain about 37.5 mg of Tramadol and 325 mg of paracetamol, with the recommended dose being one or two pills every 4 to 6 hours. Tramadol is certainly not considered a controlled substance in many countries, as it is available with a normal prescription. Without a prescription in a few countries, Tramadol is available over-the-counter.

When it comes to the benefits of Tramadol, illnesses such as osteoarthritis are normally treated to diminish pain, improve function, stiffness and overall-well being. However, Tramadol may cause side effects such as vomiting, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, constipation and headache. Due to this, the side effects may cause individuals to cease taking Tramadol. This may limit the usefulness of Tramadol. Nevertheless, Tramadol has several noted benefits to improve health: Tramadol may reduce pain more than any placebo; Tramadol may improve the overall well-being of an individual more than placebo (50% with placebo as opposed to 70% with Tramadol); and Tramadol may slightly diminish stiffness and slightly enhance function more than placebo. Of course with benefits of Tramadol come the side-effects of Tramadol—such as vomiting, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, constipation and headache. In reality, Tramadol is a type of opioid to treat illnesses such as osteoarthritis. Tramadol doesn’t cause bleeding in the intestines and stomach or kidney problems which may occur with pain relievers. Tramadol doesn’t affect the cartilage at the end of bones. Moreover, Tramadol doesn’t decrease swelling and may not work well after long usage. Therefore, it is vital to know the benefits as well as the harms of Tramadol.

Tramadol is increasingly used to treat osteoarthritis. As opposed to nonsteroidal ant-inflammatory drugs, Tramadol doesn’t produce gastrointestinal bleeding or even renal dilemmas, as it doesn’t affect articular cartilage. Fortunately, the adverse effects are reversible and certainly not life-threatening. Tramadol reduces pain intensity, produces symptom relief and improves function—although the benefits are somewhat small. This is the chief reason participants stop taking the medication, which could limit the usefulness of Tramadol. Research shows that individuals who received Tramadol had a 37% increase in the likelihood of reporting restrained improvement. Individuals receiving Tramadol may have more chance of side-effects than those who use placebo. However, the benefits of Tramadol in patients will always outweigh those of placebo in individuals.