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Is Tramadol Addictive?

Sounds like Tramadol is addictive from what I have read.. I am off the Vicodin for 3 days now.  My doctor said I could take a Tramadol a day to help with pain.  I took one the other day (not everyday).  But wow..I asked her if it was addictive because I want to be totally off the Narcotics.  She said no It is not addicitve... WHat the heck... Anyway I am dumping the Tramadol..I have come too far to let something else take hold of me.
Also I read that Xanex is addictive..bad.  I didn't know that either.  Im not addicted to it nor do I have get a script for it.  My mom just gave me a few to help with the axiety of w/d on the Vicodin..
Confussed..
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Avatar universal
And the only reason I took that many was because my Doctor told me to take as much as needed so I wouldn't abuse vicodin and this is after me telling him that I have a problem with addiction and that I've been abusing my previous prescriptions. I'm not trying to put all the blame on the Doctor but they really need to wake up and understand addiction is real...it's not a behavioural decision. No one choses to be addicted. All I'm saying is if your an addict or ever were one then tramadol is not for you, you'll pay the price in the end.
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Avatar universal
Yeah the stupity of doctors never ceases to amaze me. I told my doctor I was hooked on the vicodin and he gave me tramadol instead and told me to take as much as needed as long as I don't abuse the vicodin.

I finished like 120 pills in like two weeks so I wouldn't go back to Vic's. When I ran out of them I saw he'll on earth.  Just started breaking down mentally and emotionally. Had to go the hospital the second night if WD, all my vitals were good but my mind was a mess. I told my doctor what happened because they didnt't return my call the night before and he just told me that it's not addictive at all. I view most doctors now like holier than thou money hungry pill pushers. Tramadol is bad news and will make vicodin withdrawals look like a Sunday picnic.
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Avatar universal
I have been on tramadol off and on for about 10 years and it is not addicting.  It is not an opiate, it simply acts on the opiod receptors, as do other non-opiate drugs. I hate how people are demonizing this drug as it is the last one left for chronic pain that is effective and also not addictive.  People subject to psychological addiction can become addicted to anything, even a placebo if they doh't know.  It seems a fad for people to be an "addict", who knows why.  I have been on all sorts of heavier opiates for extended periods of time and have gone off them.  There are two bigger problems with tramadol, that you can only take a certain amount in a day, which is usually not enough for people with severe pain, and it can make you itch.  
In many ways it acts like naltrexone, an opiate drug designed to get people off of opiates, in that it seems to somewhat counteract or change the way opiates work, so if you are on vicodin or something like that, the docs warn you about taking it together.  I go on and off tramadol all the time. I have had no physical or mental problems with it any more than I would have taking ibuprofen.
Most people posting bad things about it take more than the daily dose, which can be toxic, and mix it with other drugs they shouldn't take.  others are simply psycho and looking for a culprit for their emotional problems
.  
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Avatar universal
THanks for the advise.  I don't get how xanex is addictive??? and what is Benzo?  Is it addictive to anyone?  I have known people who like it (xanex) but I have NEVER liked the feeling it gives me.  It just makes me tierd and calm (which I don't like to be and don't have time to be w/ 5 kids, so it has just helped w/ the anxiety.  Do you think maybe people that like to be super relaxed get addicted or just anyone.  I took 1mg for a couple days and .25mg the last few days.  And I only have one left anyway..I won't take anymore.  
I think Im gonna find a new Dr. ... one thats not so giving on the meds...she is know for handing out the meds to people.  ANd for her to know that Im trying to quit and then offer me tramadol..thats messed up
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176495 tn?1301280412
I'm starting a tapering off program shortly..I'm only up to 6-7/day which is my presciption but I've only been on them a few months.  

I mentioned in another topic the vet put my dog on tramadol so we both sit around the house lazing away all day and manage to commuicate on the same level

Jim
Helpful - 0
199177 tn?1490498534
Yes its my DOC its very addicting .Just be very careful with.You are right about the xanax it is very addicting so tread very carfully the wd fro benzos is very bad and  its dangerous .you will get threw this :)
Helpful - 0
176495 tn?1301280412
It's great doctors don't tell yout it's not meant for people who have been addicted to any drugs, as my doctor gave it to me after I talked to him about my addiction to vicodin.


Jim
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your reply..I wasn't very clear..sorry.. I was addicted for 3 yrs... and up to 60-70mgs of Hydrocodone a day.  I tappered off for 1-2weeks,,that was the hardest part (reducing my dose) but I got used to it, then reduced again untill I was totally off a few days ago.  I just used the tramadol a couple times for aches and pains and that was in the last few days..not while I was weaning off.  But Im not going to take anymore of them,,,I don't want to start something again.  I have read on other posts of people having severe addictions to it..and bad w/d.
thanks
Helpful - 0
647911 tn?1373314647
It is ok if you need to take the xanex to keep you calm but do not take that on everyday basis.  also coming off vicodin im surprised that tramadol is helping maybe you never were really a hard core addit for vicodin but to answer your question tramadol is not a narcotic like vicodin, xanex, etc.  but they can be addictive on a lesser degree.  im recovering from a vicoprofen addiction of about 30 pills a day and it is like hell to get off.  so dont look back to the vicodin your doing good.  move foward and for right now zone in on just getting off vicodin because that is were your real lifeline is.
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Avatar universal
Sorry that msg wasn't toward you. I just seen your reply after I posted.. Thank you for the info...I will read it.  Better to be informed
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Avatar universal
Nevermind, got my answer in another post...wow
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199177 tn?1490498534
SOME INFO ON TRAMADOL  
I have seen alot of info latley on tramadol some every incorrect .So I thought I would put some infromation together so everyone will have a better understanding of it .

It is addicting
You do have ephoria
It should NOT be used by ANYONE with addiction issues.

What is the most important information I should know about tramadol?
Physical Dependence and Abuse

ULTRAM may induce psychic and physical dependence of the morphine-type (μ-opioid) (see DRUG
ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE). ULTRAM should not be used in opioid-dependent patients. ULTRAM
has been shown to reinitiate physical dependence in some patients that have been previously dependent on
other opioids. Dependence and abuse, including drug-seeking behavior and taking illicit actions to obtain
the drug, are not limited to those patients with prior history of opioid dependence

You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking tramadol. You may be more likely to have a seizure while taking tramadol if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, or if you are taking certain medicines such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.

Take tramadol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Do not take more than 300 milligrams of tramadol in one day.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. A tramadol overdose can be fatal. Overdose symptoms of a tramadol overdose may include drowsiness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma. Tramadol may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Tramadol should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it. Tramadol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. 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. Do not crush the tramadol tablet. This medicine is for oral (by mouth) use only. Powder from a crushed tablet should not be inhaled or diluted with liquid and injected into the body. Using this medicine by inhalation or injection can cause life-threatening side effects, overdose, or death.

What is tramadol?

Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever.

Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Tramadol extended-release is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.

Tramadol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.


What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tramadol?

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.
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
Seizure Risk
Seizures have been reported in patients receiving tramadol within the recommended dosage range. Spontaneous post-marketing reports indicate that seizure risk is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range. Concomitant use of tramadol increases the seizure risk in patients taking:

•Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants or anorectics),
•Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and other tricyclic compounds (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, promethazine, etc.), or
•Other opioids.
Administration of tramadol may enhance the seizure risk in patients taking:

•MAO inhibitors (see also WARNINGS - Use with MAO Inhibitors),
•Neuroleptics, or
•Other drugs that reduce the seizure threshold.
Risk of convulsions may also increase in patients with epilepsy, those with a history of seizures, or in patients with a recognized risk for seizure (such as head trauma, metabolic disorders, alcohol and drug withdrawal, CNS infections). In tramadol overdose, naloxone administration may increase the risk of seizure.

Suicide Risk

•Do not prescribe ULTRAM ER for patients who are suicidal or addiction-prone.
•Prescribe ULTRAM ER with caution for patients taking tranquilizers or antidepressant drugs and patients who use alcohol in excess.
•Tell your patients not to exceed the recommended dose and to limit their intake of alcohol.
Serotonin Syndrome Risk

The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome may occur with use of tramadol products, including ULTRAM ER, particularly with concomitant use of serotonergic drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, MAOIs and triptans, with drugs which impair metabolism of serotonin (including MAOIs) and with drugs which impair metabolism of tramadol (CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 inhibitors). This may occur within the recommended dose. (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY-Pharmacokinetics).

Serotonin syndrome may include mental-status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g., hyperreflexia, incoordination) and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
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