Medicine is likely to cause side effects even when taken as directed. Most painkillers cause severe fatigue and sedation. Tramadol is an opioid agonist that helps in relieving pain. Is it true that a potent painkiller like Tramadol leads to disrupted sleep?
While most people in this world are taking sound sleep, some people remain awake due to insomnia. It is the most common sleep problem, with nearly one-third of adults experiencing its symptoms at any time. Around 10 % have severe insomnia, which is considered a full-fledged disorder. You need to know about Tramadol and sleep deprivation disorder.
Tramadol is a prescription opioid analgesic medicine for moderate pain. It is also used for chronic pain from conditions like Fibromyalgia and other pain caused after surgery.
Tramadol is available as an immediate-release and extended-release tablet in 50mg, 100mg, 150mg, 200mg, and 300mg tablets. Brand names of Tramadol tablets include Ultram, Ultram ER, ConZip, and Ryzolt. Common street names for Tramadol include Ultras and Chill Pills.
Most doctors prescribe Tramadol 100mg in the USA and people also prefer to buy Tramadol 100mg online from a verified online pharmacy or from a local drug store.
Children below 12 years should not consume Tramadol, and those between 12 and 18 should take precautions. This means it can only be used with a doctor's close supervision, based on their medical use in treatment, the potential for misuse, and dependence.
Tramadol belongs to a class of opioid agonists. It shows its therapeutic action by altering how your brain senses pain. It acts on the brain chemicals norepinephrine and serotonin to relieve moderate-to-severe pain.
Tramadol is similar to endorphins (substances in your brain). Endorphins bind to receptors, which then decrease the pain. These chemicals send messages to your brain. Tramadol also works similarly to reduce the amount of pain your brain thinks youre having.
Although Tramadol effectively treats mild-to-moderate pain, it is among the least potent analgesics. However, this drug can still be addictive or habit-forming, especially when taken for extended periods or in doses larger than prescribed.
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. You may also feel tired when you wake up. Insomnia can drain your energy level, mood, work performance, health, overall quality of life, and well-being. Adequate sleep hours vary with the individual, but adults generally require seven to eight hours for sound health.
Sooner or later, many adults experience acute insomnia lasting for a few days or weeks. It is usually the consequence of stress or a traumatic event. But some people have chronic insomnia that goes on for months or more.
Sleep deprivation or insomnia may be the primary problem, but it is associated with other medical conditions. Apart from various medications for insomnia, simple lifestyle changes can also help. Insomnia symptoms may include:
It is specific for opioids to cause fatigue, sleepiness, and sedation. Same time an opioid, namely Tramadol, is likely to cause insomnia. Although Tramadol is a depressant, mainly relaxing, and gives calming effects, higher doses can also produce euphoric feelings. People who abuse or mix this drug with other substances can make Tramadol a stimulant, having mild euphoric effects comparable to heroin.
In one recent double-blind study on Tramadol and sleeplessness, some participants were randomly given placebos one night and then given 50 mg or 100 mg of Tramadol the other night. Researchers discovered that 100 mg of Tramadol significantly impaired Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep for two complete nights.
Rapid Eye Movement is a unique sleep phase characterized by random rapid eye movements and vivid dreams. REM sleep is essential for a whole night's rest and learning, making, and retaining memories. This sleep phase tends to shorten as we age, which may partly explain why memory problems occur in older people.
The study also confirmed that when participants were given 50 mg of Tramadol, their sleep was interrupted that night. When given 100 mg of the medication, sleep was significantly impaired for two nights.
Additionally, it should be noted that opioids can make you feel sleepy, so taking them during the day may cause you to fall asleep. Sleeping more during the day often means you will sleep less at night.
Insomnia is one of the most common symptoms of tramadol withdrawal. Like other drugs of the same class, detoxing from Tramadol can lead to nausea, sleeplessness, vomiting, muscle aches, diarrhea, cold sweats, and more.
Tramadol is usually prescribed because of its less addictive potential than other opioid analgesics. While most analgesics are categorized under Schedule II under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA), Tramadol falls under the Schedule IV category.
Tramadol is abused for its euphoric effects, and people taking Tramadol usually feel happy and relaxed. Individuals with severe pain may take high doses of this drug, which puts them at greater risk of severe adverse effects, including respiratory depression and seizures.
Those who abuse or misuse Tramadol are at risk of developing an addiction. Individuals develop tolerance to this drug with its prolonged use, while sometimes, people become addicted even after following their doctor's directions.
Along with tolerance/dependence, Tramadol users might experience withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing the drug. Tramadol withdrawal can cause depression, irritability, and flu-like symptoms. They may also show signs of Tramadol addiction and neurobiological disease with psychosocial, genetic, and environmental factors influencing its development. Other signs include relationship problems caused by drug use, frequent cravings, and uncontrolled use of Tramadol.
Drug withdrawal commonly occurs in individuals who have developed a dependence on a drug, which is a significant danger when taking opioids. This usually happens when users take more frequent and larger doses than prescribed. Once a person tolerates the drug, quitting the pill may cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Tramadol withdrawal symptoms vary from person to person. Generally, symptoms last between 5-7 days. It is best to taper off the drug over time as Tramadol detox to minimize the negative withdrawal symptoms.
Common Tramadol withdrawal symptoms include:
If you notice that the dosage of Tramadol youre taking no longer provides pain relief, or if you have to use more of it to experience pain relief, speak to your doctor immediately to avoid addiction.
Some people may experience side effects while taking Tramadol. These side effects can occur due to interactions with other medications or not taking the medicines according to prescription instructions. The most common side effects include:
Generally, side effects occur when introducing the drug into the system. Many of these side effects might disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. If side effects continue or become too bothersome, you should discuss your symptoms with your primary doctor.
Long-term side effects of Tramadol use, such as dependence, muscle spasms, difficulty sleeping, stomachaches, breathing problems, Seizures, adrenal insufficiency, and serotonin syndrome, can be challenging to manage. Long-term side effects of continued tramadol misuse can last years without medical attention.
In this case, speaking with your doctor about your tolerance and dependence on Tramadol may be helpful. Some people might need to seek a medical detox program to safely and comfortably withdraw from Tramadol without experiencing severe withdrawal effects.
Before starting with Tramadol, inform your medical practitioner of any medications you are taking, any medical conditions or allergies you have, whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or other significant facts about your health. The following factors might affect how you should take medication:
There are several drug interactions among people who take Tramadol. Typical interactions include- Alcohol.
Contact your pharmacist or medical practitioner if you take any of these medications.
Tramadol is an opioid analgesic used to relieve moderate-to-severe pain. People might experience mild to severe side effects when taking this medication. It is also likely to cause insomnia.
Tramadol's higher doses can produce euphoria and thus cause sleepless nights. Some drug interactions can also occur with Tramadol, and the effects can be severe. It is advised to take this drug cautiously and contact your healthcare professional in case of any side effects.
