Tramadol 50mg is approved as a pain relief medicine by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is an opioid pain and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor(SNRI) medication, which is used to treat moderate to severe pain including pain after surgery.
Since July 2014, due to misuse and addiction to tramadol, the FDA restricted the cases of pain refractory to other medications such as non-opioid pain medication. It belongs to the opioid analgesics medicine group and acts in the central nervous system to relieve pain.
Drug Mechanism
Tramadol has opioid behavior because of binds to several opiate receptors in the central nervous system (CNS). The liver enzyme CYP2D6 changes tramadol to its active metabolite M1. The M1 metabolite indicates analgesic effectiveness, which is up to 6 times greater than tradamol.
The drug does not bind to the mu receptor as morphine binds.
Drug Forms
Tramadol dosage is available in the forms of:
- Tablet
- Tablet, Extended Release
- Tablet, Extended Release, 24 HR
- Capsule, Extended Release
- Capsule, Extended Release, 24 HR
- Solution
- Suspension
Dosages
Tramadol is available in several dosages.
- For extended-release – 100mg, 200mg, and 300mg
- For immediate release – 50mg
- For tramadol solution – 5mg/ml
Tramadol 50mg can be taken in 1-2 dosages, up to four times a day. The maximum dose is 400mg. Its dosage prescription depends on the condition of pain and side effects in the patients.
Drug Effectiveness
Tramadol capsule’s effectiveness can last up to 10 to 12 hours at peak levels of extended-release. Some people need higher dosage and some require lower dosage. Its dosage may reduce the side effects of headache, nausea, and dizziness.
Tramadol can also cause side effects in patients who are with chronic osteoarthritis. Its treatment is inferior to morphine to relieve one SR of cancer-related pain and lower the risk of opioids which treat moderate to severe pain.