TRAMADOL is used to treat moderate and severe pain and most types of neuralgia, including trigeminal neuralgia. It has been suggested that TRAMADOL could be effective for alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety because of its action on GABAergic, noradrenergic and specifically serotonergic systems. However, health professionals have not yet endorsed its use on a large scale for disorders such as this

 

You should not take TRAMADOL if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol, if you are currently intoxicated (drunk), or if you have recently used any of the following drugs:

 

- alcohol;
- narcotic pain medicine;
- sedatives or tranquilizers (such as Valium);
- medicine for depression or anxiety;
- medicine for mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia); or street drugs.

 

Seizures have occurred in some people taking TRAMADOL. Your risk of a seizure may be higher if you have any of these conditions:

 

- a history of drug or alcohol addiction;
- a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
- a history of head injury;
- a metabolic disorder; or
- if you are also taking an antidepressant, muscle relaxer, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.

- Talk with your doctor about your individual risk of having a seizure while taking TRAMADOL.

 

Before taking TRAMADOL, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

 

- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- a stomach disorder; or
- a history of depression, mental illness, or suicide attempt.

 

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take TRAMADOL.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. TRAMADOL may also cause serious or fatal side effects in a newborn if the mother uses the medication during pregnancy or labor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. TRAMADOL can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. TRAMADOL should not be given to a child younger than 18 years of age.

 

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

 

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

 

Stop using TRAMADOL and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

 

- seizure (convulsions);
- a red, blistering, peeling skin rash; or
- shallow breathing, weak pulse.

 

Less serious side effects may include:

 

- dizziness, drowsiness, weakness;
- nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite;
- blurred vision;
- flushing (redness, warmth, or tingly feeling); or sleep problems (insomnia).

 

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

 

Take TRAMADOL exactly as it was prescribed for you.

Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Do not take more than 300 milligrams of TRAMADOL in one day.

Take this medication with a full glass of water.

 

TRAMADOL can be taken with or without food, but take it the same way each time.

Do not crush the TRAMADOL capsule. This medicine is for oral (by mouth) use only. Using this medicine by inhalation or injection can cause life-threatening side effects, overdose, or death. Do not crush, chew, break, or open a controlled-release, delayed-release, or extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

 

If you use the TRAMADOL extended-release tablet, the tablet shell may pass into your stools (bowel movements). This is normal and does not mean that you are not receiving enough of the medicine.

 

TRAMADOL may be habit-forming. Tell your doctor if you feel the medicine is not working as well in relieving your pain. Do not change your dose without talking to your doctor. Do not stop using TRAMADOL suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Store TRAMADOL at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. TRAMADOL is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

 

 

Keep TRAMADOL in the original container and keep the container closed. Store it in a dry place at room temperature.

 

Do not give your TRAMADOL capsules to anyone else. It has been prescribed only for you. Keep TRAMADOL and all medications out of the reach of children.