Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline, & Detox Treatment

What is Tramadol?

Tramadol is a type of medicine regulated by the DEA. It’s considered a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means it has medical uses but can also be misused or cause addiction. This drug used to be unscheduled but was later classified as a Schedule IV drug due to its potential for abuse. While it’s seen as safer and less addictive than some other pain-relieving drugs, there’s limited research backing this claim. Doctors commonly prescribe tramadol in the United States, especially after surgeries, for acute pain relief. About 75% of over 500,000 patients received tramadol as part of their post-surgery treatment. Unfortunately, in 2020, around 1.7 million people, approximately 0.5% of individuals aged 12 or older, misused prescription tramadol products.

Tramadol works differently compared to other opioids. It not only affects opioid receptors but also impacts the reuptake of certain chemicals like norepinephrine and serotonin, which can enhance its ability to manage pain.

What is Tramadol Withdrawal?

When a person becomes dependent on Tramadol, stopping it leads to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Even taking Tramadol as directed can result in dependence and withdrawal.

Using Tramadol continuously for just a few weeks can cause chemical addiction in the body. This happens because the body gets used to Tramadol, so a person needs to take it more often or in more significant amounts to feel the same effects (like pain relief or feeling good). The brain changes because of this constant drug presence. Withdrawal from Tramadol typically lasts about 5-7 days.

Because of Tramadol’s influence, the brain tries to balance itself out by speeding up or slowing down some functions. When someone suddenly quits Tramadol, the brain reacts strongly, causing mild to severe withdrawal symptoms.

It’s often suggested to gradually reduce Tramadol use instead of stopping abruptly to ease withdrawal symptoms. While most people feel flu-like symptoms during Tramadol detox, serious effects like severe anxiety, panic attacks, and hallucinations are also possible.

How Is Tramadol Withdrawal Different From Other Opioids?

Tramadol withdrawal stands apart from other opioids due to its unique pain-relieving method. Unlike many opioids that work solely by activating brain opioid receptors, tramadol also impacts serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Hence, its withdrawal can result in two types of symptoms: typical opioid withdrawal and atypical opioid withdrawal syndrome, which is distinctive to tramadol. This means individuals might face a mix of symptoms.

Typical opioid withdrawal symptoms involve nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle aches, and general discomfort. On the other hand, atypical opioid withdrawal symptoms consist of:

• Hallucinations.
• Severe anxiety.
• Paranoia.
• Confusion.
• Depersonalization.
• Unusual sensory experiences.

While atypical symptoms are typically non-life-threatening, they can prompt risky behavior. For safe and supervised detox, seeking help from an inpatient facility is strongly advised.

Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms associated with Tramadol may differ for each person. Gradually tapering off the drug can help minimize these adverse effects.

The common symptoms of Tramadol withdrawal include:

Learn More:

• Is Tramadol Addictive? Risks and Dangers of Tramadol Addiction
• Tramadol vs Hydrocodone: Are They Similar? Which one is Better For Pain?
• Tramadol vs Oxycodone, Which is Better? Side Effect Comparison
• Is Tramadol A Narcotic?
• Tramadol in Pregnancy
• Tramadol Serotonin Syndrome
• Vicodin vs Norco, What’s The Difference & How Do They Compare?
• How Long Does Hydrocodone Stay in Urine?
• What is Norco? Norco Drug For Severe Pain Information
• The Dangers of Hydrocodone Addiction, Symptoms & Treatment
• Hydrocodone Side Effects, Uses, Addiction and More
• Opiate Withdrawal
• Opioid Withdrawal Timeline
• Opioid Withdrawal Symptoms

Who Should Not Be Taking Tramadol?

Individuals falling under these categories should avoid tramadol and hydrocodone:

1. Children and Adolescents: The FDA strongly advises against administering hydrocodone or other opioids, like codeine, to children under 18 years old. Similarly, tramadol should not be prescribed to children under 12 years old due to potentially severe side effects in individuals between 12 and 18 years old with specific medical conditions. These medications pose risks of life-threatening breathing problems, addiction, overdose, and fatality in children.
2. Pregnant Women: Both tramadol and hydrocodone are not recommended for pregnant women or those planning pregnancy. The use of these medications, or any other opioids, during pregnancy may result in serious health complications in newborns after delivery.
3. Breastfeeding Women: Women who breastfeed should also abstain from taking opioids, including tramadol and hydrocodone. These drugs can be transferred through breast milk to infants, potentially exposing them to unsafe levels of medication.

How Long Does Tramadol Withdrawal Last?

Symptoms of tramadol withdrawal closely resemble those of other opioid withdrawals. Although typically mild, about 12% of tramadol withdrawal cases exhibit atypical symptoms such as severe panic attacks, paranoia, and hallucinations, according to a study.

The progression of tramadol withdrawal symptoms generally follows this timeline:

1. Within the first 24 hours: Withdrawal usually begins, depending on an individual’s health, genetics, tramadol dosage, and usage frequency.
2. 24–72 hours: Initial symptoms are akin to standard opioid withdrawal, including anxiety, body aches, watery eyes, sweating, and insomnia. Some may also experience symptoms similar to allergies or headaches.
3. Days 4–7: Later symptoms might include stomach pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Seeking advice from a doctor for managing specific withdrawal symptoms, like nausea or leg pain, is recommended.
4. Days 8–14: Withdrawal from short-acting opioids typically lasts between four to ten days. Most individuals cease experiencing symptoms around the one-week mark, but those using high doses or frequently using tramadol might have a prolonged withdrawal due to increased drug dependence.
5. Beyond two weeks: Acute symptoms generally subside after a couple of weeks. However, some may experience an extended withdrawal period. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome following opioid withdrawal may lead to mental health symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia for weeks or months after stopping drug use.

Tramadol affects opioid receptors and serotonin levels in the brain, resembling selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) antidepressants. Consequently, tramadol withdrawal might cause symptoms similar to antidepressant withdrawal, including flu-like symptoms, fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea, and irritability.

Tramadol Withdrawal-Related Statistics

Despite declining prescription rates, opioid overdose deaths remain a significant public health concern. Many opioid-related deaths are attributed to the misuse of prescription opioids or illicit opioids, such as heroin and fentanyl. Unfortunately, Norco hydrocodone is included in the problem.

There is a need for increased access to evidence-based treatments for opioid use disorder, such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and behavioral therapies, to address the addiction crisis effectively.

Bioavailability

Bioavailability refers to the extent and rate at which a drug or substance is absorbed into the bloodstream or becomes available at the site of action after administration. It measures the amount of the administered dose that enters the systemic circulation and can produce an effect.

Regarding bioavailability, tramadol hydrochloride tablets boast a 75% bioavailability, whereas extended-release tramadol hydrochloride tablets range between 85% to 90%.

• Antibiotics.
• Antidepressants.
• Anti-anxiety medications.
• Antipsychotics.
• Allergy medications (antihistamines).
• Benzodiazepines.
• Cold and cough medicines.
• Fungal infection medications.
• Heart rhythm medications.
• HIV medications.
• Irritable bowel medications.

• Laxatives
• Muscle relaxants.
• Nausea medications.
• Parkinson’s disease medications.
• Prescription and over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Sedatives or tranquilizers.
• Seizure medications.
• Sleeping pills.
• St. John’s Wort.
• Tryptophan.
• Ulcer medications.
• Urinary problem medications.