What are the doses of Tramadol?
What is Tramadol?
Tramadol is a medicine used to relieve moderate to severe pain in the body. These include pains that one experiences after surgery. There are extended-release capsules or tablets available for Tramadol that are used for chronic ongoing pain.
Tramadol belongs to the group of medicines known as opioid analgesics. These medicines typically affect the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain.
How do I take Tramadol?
It is crucial to note that you should take this drug only as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Avoid taking more of it, taking it too often or taking it for a more extended amount of time than recommended. Remember that prolonged use of this medicine can lead to physical and mental dependence. In addition to this, you will be at high risk of an overdose.
If you have reason to believe this medicine is not working as well after taking it for a few weeks, avoid increasing the dosage. Instead, consult your doctor.
Swallow the extended-release capsule, extended-release tablet, and tablet with liquids as a whole. It is advised not to break, crush, chew, snort, or inject Tramadol, as it can lead to various health complications.
Dosage and Strengths
Tramadol is available as a standard tablet. These tablets contain 50mg of Tramadol. Similarly, the slow-release tablets contain 50mg, 75mg, 100mg, 150mg, 200mg, 300mg or 400mg of Tramadol.
Ideal Dosing of Tramadol
The dose of Tramadol will vary from person to person. In most cases, you can adjust the dosing according to various factors, including the weight, age and the medicine the patient is taking. Due to this, it is vital to follow the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist. In addition, changing your dose is only beneficial if you are advised to do so.
Furthermore, the amount of medicine you take daily strongly depends on the strength of the drug. The number of doses you take every day, the gap between doses, and the amount of time you take medicine depend on the medical condition for which you are using Tramadol.
The general dosing for chronic pain:
For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
Adults: 100 milligrams (mg) once a day. However, you can increase the dose. Usually, it does exceed the 300 mg per day limit.
Children (12 years and older): Your doctor must determine the use and dose of Tramadol.
Children (younger than 12): Patients under 12 should not use Tramadol.
For moderate to severe pain:
For oral dosage form:
Adults: 25 mg per day. Your doctor may increase your dose as required. However, the dose is never more than 400 mg per day.
Older adults (over 75): 25 mg per day. The dose may be increased but should be at most the 300 mg per day limit.
Children (12 years of age and older): The use and dose of Tramadol must be determined by your doctor.
Children (younger than 12 years of age): Tramadol should not be used by patients who are younger than 12 years old.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of Tramadol, take it as soon as you remember. However, if 12 hours have passed since the missed dose, skip it and wait for the next one. Then, go back to your regular dosing schedule instead of taking double doses.