Tramadol is an opioid pain reliever that works by changing how the brain responds to pain. It also affects how the body feels pleasure. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Tramadol may be prescribed as a tablet, liquid, or extended-release capsule. It is usually swallowed whole. However, it is sometimes crushed and snorted (abused). Taking more of this medication than prescribed or using it in ways other than instructed can cause serious side effects or death.

Tramadol can change how the liver and kidneys work. This may make the drug less effective in treating certain conditions. Your doctor will need to monitor you carefully if you have any of these conditions.

Slowed breathing warning: This drug can slow or stop your breathing, especially within the first few days of treatment or any time your dose is increased. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away. You may need a medicine called naloxone to reverse the effects of this drug. Ask your doctor where to buy naloxone and how to use it.

Abuse warning: Tramadol can be abused in many ways, such as crushing the tablets or emptying the capsules to snort them. This can lead to addiction, overdose, and death. Tell your doctor if you have ever abused this drug or have abused other drugs or alcohol.

This drug can make certain stomach problems worse. It can also increase the pressure in your brain. This can make it harder for you to breathe and may cause a stroke or brain damage. If you have a stomach ulcer or a condition that makes it hard for your stomach to digest food, your doctor may not want you to take this medicine.

Other warnings: This drug can cause allergic reactions. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat, or a severe skin reaction (red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering or peeling). This medication can cause withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped suddenly. To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor will decrease your dose gradually.

Keep out of the reach of children. If a child accidentally takes this drug, call the doctor right away. This drug can also pass into breast milk and may cause life-threatening effects in a newborn baby. If you are breastfeeding, don’t take this drug.

This medicine can affect your ability to think or react quickly. Avoid driving or doing any other dangerous activities until you know how this medicine affects you.

This drug can cause a buildup of fluid in your brain or spinal cord, which can lead to seizures. If you have seizures or a history of them, your doctor may not prescribe this drug for you. This drug can interact with other medicines, including antidepressants and sedatives. It can also cause a problem with your blood pressure, which may require monitoring. Your doctor will check your blood pressure before and during treatment with this medicine.