How much tramadol can you take in a day

Your dose will depend on how bad your pain is, how you've responded to previous painkillers and if you get any side effects. Fast-acting tramadol comes as capsules, drops and 2 different tablets — soluble and dissolve-in-the-mouth tablets:. Slow-release tramadol comes as tablets and capsules. It's important to swallow slow-release tramadol tablets and capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not break, crush, chew or suck slow-release tablets and capsules.

If you do, the slow-release system will not work and the whole dose might get into your body in one go. This could cause a potentially fatal overdose. When to take it depends on the type of tramadol that you have been prescribed:. If you're 65 and over, or you have liver or kidney problems, you may be asked by your doctor to take tramadol less often.

You can take your tramadol at any time of day but try to take it at the same time every day and space your doses evenly. For example, if you take tramadol twice a day and have your first dose at 8am, take your second dose at 8pm. If you forget to take a dose, check the information on the patient information leaflet inside the packaging or ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice on what to do. If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.

You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine. If you need to take tramadol for a long time your body can become tolerant to it.

This is not usually a problem but you could get unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly. If you want to stop taking tramadol, talk to your doctor first. Your dose will usually be reduced gradually so you do not get unpleasant withdrawal effects. Tramadol can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you come off it suddenly, such as:.

If you have been taking tramadol for more than a few weeks do not stop taking it without speaking to your doctor first. It's important not to take more than your prescribed dose, even if you think it's not enough to relieve your pain. Speak to your doctor first, if you think you need a different dose. If you've taken an accidental overdose you may feel very sleepy, sick or dizzy.

You may also find it difficult to breathe. In serious cases you can become unconscious and may need emergency treatment in hospital. The amount of tramadol that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person. If you've taken 1 extra dose by mistake, check the information that comes with the medicine packaging or ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice.

Generally, you are unlikely to get any symptoms and you can take your next dose as usual. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance. Take the tramadol box or leaflet inside the packet plus any remaining medicine with you.

It's safe to take tramadol with paracetamol , ibuprofen or aspirin aspirin is suitable for most people aged 16 years and over. Do not take tramadol with codeine-containing painkillers you can buy from a pharmacy.

You'll be more likely to get side effects. Some everyday painkillers that you can buy from pharmacies contain codeine, which is a similar medicine to tramadol. Codeine-containing painkillers that you can buy from pharmacies include co-codamol , Nurofen Plus and Solpadeine. Like all medicines, tramadol can cause side effects although not everyone gets them. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects listed below bother you or don't go away.

Very common side effects of tramadol happen in more than 1 in 10 people and include:. Common side effects of tramadol happen in more than 1 in people. They include:. In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to tramadol. These are not all the side effects of tramadol. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet. In early pregnancy, it's been linked to some problems for your unborn baby.

If you take tramadol at the end of pregnancy there's a risk that your newborn baby may get withdrawal symptoms. However, it's important to treat pain in pregnancy. For some pregnant women with severe pain, tramadol might be the best option. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide what's right for you and your baby. It's safe to breastfeed while taking tramadol. Tramadol passes into breast milk in small amounts but it's unlikely to harm your baby.

However, if your baby is premature, had a low birthweight or has an illness, talk to your doctor before breastfeeding. Some medicines and tramadol interfere with each other and increase the chances of you having side effects.

Tell your doctor if you're taking:. Do not take medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs which are used to treat depression with tramadol. It's not known if complementary medicines and herbal teas are safe to take with tramadol. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines.

They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. It acts on pain receptors in the central nervous system and the brain to block pain signals to the rest of the body. It also works in your brain to stop you feeling pain messages.

Tramadol does not stop the pain from happening, but you will not be able to feel it as much. You will feel less pain 30 to 60 minutes after taking fast-acting tramadol. The pain relief wears off after 4 to 6 hours.

Slow-acting tramadol tablets and capsules can take a day or two to start working but the pain relief will last for longer. Depending on why you're taking tramadol, you may only need to take it for a short time.

For example, if you're in pain after an injury or operation, you may only need to take tramadol for a few days or weeks at most. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history. Tramadol oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking.

An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Do not take these drugs with tramadol. Doing so can cause dangerous effects in the body. Examples of these drugs include:. Taking tramadol with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from those drugs. This is because the amount of those drugs in your body may be increased.

If you use tramadol with certain drugs, you may have more side effects. This is because the amount of tramadol in your body may be increased. If you take one of these drugs with tramadol, your doctor may monitor you more often. They may also adjust your tramadol dosage as needed. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This dosage information is for tramadol oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Tramadol can cause or worsen seizures. These drugs include other opioid pain drugs or certain medications for depression, other mood disorders, or psychosis. If you take too much tramadol, you may be treated with a medication called naloxone. This drug also raises your risk of seizures.

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right away. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room.

Taking it again could be fatal cause death. The use of drinks that contain alcohol can increase your risk of certain side effects from tramadol. These include slowed breathing, decreased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, or confusion. You should not drink alcohol while taking tramadol. For people with seizures: If you have seizures or a history of seizures, tramadol can cause or worsen seizures.

Talk with your doctor about whether tramadol is safe for you. For people with mental health problems: If you have thoughts about intentionally hurting yourself, or have hurt yourself, do not take tramadol.

For people with addiction problems: If you have problems with addiction, such as addiction to alcohol or drugs, do not take tramadol. Also avoid this drug if you have a history of addiction. For people with head injuries: Tramadol can increase the pressure inside your head. This can worsen your condition or make it harder for doctors to diagnose or find the cause of problems in your brain.

For people with stomach problems: Tramadol can make certain stomach problems worse. It can also make it harder for doctors to diagnose or find the cause of problems. For people with breathing problems: Tramadol may slow your breathing and cause shallow breathing. Shallow breathing means you take small, short breaths. If you already have a breathing problem, such as asthma, talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

For pregnant women: Tramadol is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

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