Can you overdose on Tramadol?

If you have been experiencing severe pain as the result of a medical condition or a recent operation, there is a good chance that your doctor prescribed you Tramadol. Tramadol is a powerful pain-relieving drug and is prescribed with precision -- doctors base your dosage on things like age, body weight, and resistance to the drug's effects.

Tramadol dosages are so precise and so well-controlled because the power of the drug makes it possible, if not easy, to overdose. As with all pain-relieving drugs on the market, an overdose can be serious and even fatal. It is important to know what the daily limits are as well as what to do if you no longer feel the intended effects of your Tramadol dosage. This will help you avoid the serious consequences of an overdose.

A normal dose of Tramadol ranes from 25-100mg ever four to six hours for patients who are 16 years of age and older. Patients should not exceed more than 400mg per day, or they risk the consequences of an overdose. If the patient develops a resistance to the effects of the drug, they are advised to see a doctor to discuss options for safely increasing the amount taken each day. Doctors can increase the dosage of Tramadol by up to 100mg per day (or 25mg per dose) for patients who show a slight resistance to its effects. For those who have become even more resistant to the pain-killing functions of the drugs, doctors may prescribe an increased dose of up to 200mg per day, or 50mg per dose.

If you have become resistant to the effects of Tramadol, or you simply feel as though it is no longer as effective in helping you treat your pain, it is extremely important to speak with your physician. Many of the most common overdoses that occur with Tramadol result from patients increasing their daily intake of the drug on their own. Many patients simply assume that they can reduce the time between dosages, taking pills more frequently than the prescribed 4-6 hour wait period prescribed. Others take multiple pills at one time, figuring it won't be very dangerous and will simply result in curing the pain from which they suffer. Both assumptions are inaccurate.

Taking Tramadol more frequently than suggested or in higher doses than you are prescribed can result in several overdose effects, including seizures. Those who are on antidepressants as well as Tramadol may experienc what is known as "seratonin syndrome." This occurs when the body produces too much seratonin and can lead to its own set of side effects -- from agitation hallucinations and loss of coordination. Vomiting and rapid changes in blood pressure can also occur.

The effects of a Tramadol overdose, however, do not stop there. Indeed, many of the side effects are for more serious and can even be life-threatening. Serious side effects include shallow or very labored breathing, slowed heartbeat, extreme drowsiness, cold or clammy skin, and fainting. In more serious cases, patients who overdose on they drug may experience cardiac arrest or go into a coma.

Another potential source of Tramadol overdose results from the drug getting into the wrong hands. Consider that the doses are very small, even for adults; if your Tramadol pills were to get into the hands of a child, the overdose would be far easier to achieve and the side effects much more serious. It is important to keep all of your medications in a safe place, preferably with a lock, to prevent children from accidentally ingesting what could be a fatal dose of Tramadol or other drugs.

As always, it is important to discuss your current medications and medical conditions with your doctor prior to being prescribed Tramadol for pain treatment. Certain other medications, such as antidepressants, could interact with Tramadol and cause a seizure even if you do not overdose on the drug. Likewise, items in your medical history such as prior drug and alcohol addictions should be red flags to your doctor, as these conditions can also result in seizures for patients taking Tramadol.

When dealing with a pain medication as powerful as this one is known to be, common sense and caution are the best ways to avoid accidental or intentional overdose and the sometimes fatal side effects that may result. Always talk to your physician about your pain needs, the effects of the drug, and any concerns you may have about its prescription.