Is Tramadol good for nerve pain?
What is Tramadol used for?
Tramadol is used to provide short-term relief of moderate to severe pain. When other non-opioid pain relief medications prove to be unsuccessful in managing pain, Tramadol comes into action.
Doctors strongly advise against using Tramadol for long-term (chronic) pain.
How does Tramadol work?
Since Tramadol is an opioid, it directly affects opioid receptors in the central nervous system. As a result, it reduces feelings of pain in the brain by interrupting the way that the nerves in the brain send pain signals between the brain and the body. This results in the alleviation of pain.
What are the Side Effects of Tramadol?
Opioids, including Tramadol, present side effects ranging from common to severe. Such side effects may even include life-threatening breathing problems. The risk of these effects is significantly higher:
- When you are taking Tramadol without using other pain relief medications
- After your dosage is increased
- If you are an elderly individual (above the age of 50)
- If you have an existing lung problem
As mentioned, the side effects of Tramadol are identical to other opioids. They may include:
- Sleepiness or drowsiness
- Constipation or an upset stomach
- Sweating
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Headache or migraine
- Dry mouth or awareness of a dry mouth
- Vomiting
Take your medicine as instructed by your primary healthcare provider.
What are the Risks Associated with Tramadol?
Opioids are known to be strong pain-relief medicines that can cause life-threatening breathing problems.
In addition to this, Tramadol has addictive properties. So, if you take Tramadol, you may become dependent on this medicine. This may occur even if you take it exactly as your doctor prescribes the drug. Also, you can develop tolerance when you take the drug. This refers to when an individual has to take larger and larger amounts of the same drug to get the initial effect. However, as the dosage continues to increase, so does the risk of side effects. You may even experience withdrawal symptoms if you abruptly stop the medication.
On the other hand, the use of Tramadol may make it difficult for one to drive or operate heavy machinery. Therefore, avoiding activities involving physical and mental awareness is essential.
Is Tramadol Good for Nerve Pain?
Neuropathic pain occurs when pain comes spontaneously or abnormally from damaged nerves. It is quite different from pain messages between healthy nerves from damaged tissue – pain that occurs due to a fall or cut or burn. Doctors often treat neuropathic pain with different medicines, such as painkillers. However, opioid analgesics, such as Morphine and Tramadol, are also sometimes used.
Tramadol is considered to be an effective treatment for neuropathic pain. It is very good for nerve pain as it is a synthesised opioid and presents fewer risk factors as compared to other opioid medications. In fact, according to a study, at least one out of four patients with nerve pain experience relief right away. However, it is essential to note that adults should not take more than 400 milligrams (mg) for nerve pain once a day.