Published on 06 December 2022

Does Tramadol Make You Sleepy: Is It Really Safe?

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Table of Contents

Pain is a sudden feeling; in case it may be unexplained, it differs from one to another. Pain stimulates the nervous system if something goes wrong; it shows symptoms of tingling, pricking, or burning sensation.

These may cause sudden injury or accidents. Some pain will go on its own, leading to health issues. If you are consuming drugs for relieving pain, it may have the side effects of sleepiness in the body. 

Like the drug Tramadol is used in treating pain-relieving agents, Will it make you sleepy let us see in detail now?

What Is Tramadol?

Tramadol is a drug that belongs to a group of opioid pain relievers. It is used to treat mild to moderate pain; the drug available under brand names is Ultracet; Ultram is primarily identified and most prescribed.

The food and drug administration classified the drug as a controlled substance, available only after the proper valid doctor's prescription. Other than pain, it is an off-label use such as Tramadol for Anxiety and depression related to painful conditions. The FDA did not approve the drug use in less than 17 years old.  

How Does Tramadol Work?

Tramadol belongs to the drug class of opioid analgesics. It is a group of drugs that help certain conditions. The drug works on the two molecular mechanisms present in the brain—one which assists in blocking the nerve cell signals which carry the painful stimuli. Another helps decrease serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake levels in neurons to the specific cells associated with the neurotransmitters. 

It will help you change the brain cells and nervous system, thus helping to block the pain receptors, primarily in the parts of your body, which also results in calm well-being. Consume a drug with a doctor's advice; if too much of the drug is taken for extended periods will lead to drug dependence and habit forming due to the drug. 

Does Tramadol Make You Sleepy?

Tramadol has the potential to make you sleepy and tired. Moreover, it is an analgesic drug related to sleep and is not fully understood. Studies that say Tramadol induces rest have been identified in the short term. In a recent study, researchers found participants using the lower dose can make them awake for the first hours. Higher doses might cause sleep for the first few hours and disturb your sleep. 

Although Tramadol is a depressant agent and produces a calming and relaxing effect, you can see euphoric feelings when consumed with higher doses. Take your dosage precisely as your doctor prescribes; if you find any unusual symptoms call for emergency help immediately.  

Study Of Tramadol: Make You Sleepy?

In a study of eight healthy volunteers who received a placebo in selected people of single doses of Tramadol 50mg or 100mg given. They were monitored and recorded continuously. 

As a result, drugs show that Tramadol increases the duration of stage 2 sleep and decreases the slow-wave sleep cycle. It is significantly longer than stage 2 outcomes. In healthy individuals, the drug taken in a single dose of 50mg of Tramadol disturbs sleep in the night cycle. When taken with 100mg is concerned in both the subsequent nights. 

Tramadol Addiction And Abuse

Tramadol can cause addiction, and people might Abuse the drug. While taking medication at a prescribed dose, you are at risk of opioid addiction, Abuse, or misuse, which leads to fatal conditions. Tramadol is known as a controlled substance due to the presence of Abuse or addiction.

You are more likely to develop a dependence on the drug when a person is suffering from extreme pain; they use the medication in heavy doses to relieve pain. 

Due to the drug status, This became a drug addiction. It is not highly addictive other than opioid medications. Before starting the drug, understand the drug, its risks, and uses in detail. 

Tramadol Withdrawal Symptoms

When a person takes drugs for months and suddenly stops taking medicine, it can affect physical and mental status, which develops addictive symptoms—primarily seen in medications such as opioids, opiates, nicotine products, and alcohol. 

Some of the withdrawal symptoms are,

  • Anxiety
  • Drug craving
  • Pain
  • Rigors
  • Sweating
  • Tremors
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Upper respiratory symptoms.

These are 90% of withdrawal symptoms. About 10% of people can occur withdrawal symptoms like,

  • Paranoia
  • Hallucinations
  • Panic attacks
  • Confusion
  • Numbness in the feet.

Dosage: How Much Should You Take?

Taking the drug with the correct dosage will help you overcome your health illness; taking a medication with age, health conditions, the severity of the disease, and Any Medicational History is necessary.

Form: immediate-release oral tablet
Dose: 50mg 100mg

Form: Extended-release oral tablet
Dose: 100mg, 200mg, 300mg.

Dosage for Moderate to severe pain

Immediate-release tablet:
Starting dose: it should be taken 50 mg daily, and increase up to 200mg
Maximum dosage: 400mg per day

Extended-release tablet:
Starting dose: 100mg once per day.
Maximum dosage: it can increase up to 300mg per day.

Child Dosage: (0-17 years)
Immediate Release tablet:
Starting dose: Total dose is 50 mg daily, taken up to 200 mg.
Maximum dosage: 400 mg per day.

Possible Side Effects Of Tramadol

Side effects due to the drug are seen during the initial stage; after a few days, it may go on its own. Like drugs, Tramadol also has some familiar severe side effects. About 5% of people have common side effects like

Common Side Effects  Severe Side Effects 
Dizziness Hallucination
Nausea  Agitation
Headache Muscle rigidity 
Drowsiness  Vomiting
Itchiness Diarrhea
Constipation Nausea
Weakness Fast heartbeat
Sweating  Coma

How Long Can Tramadol's Side Effects Last?

After taking the drug, the side effects are common to your body, and the medication starts working in your system. Some of the fewer side effects will go on their own; if it becomes troubling, you talk with your doctor about your symptoms. Long-term side effects of the drug used to cause dependents, muscle spasms, sleep difficulty, and serotonin syndrome will be challenging. 

In this case, you should speak with your doctor about your dependency and tolerance and how to recover from it. Some medical detox centers are available to treat your dependence on the drug. 

What Are The Precautions For Tramadol?

Some precautions are used while taking the drug to avoid any adverse reaction due to the drug's effectiveness. People using Tramadol reported seizure attacks.

Taking higher doses of Tramadol increases your seizure risk because taking medications like antidepressants or opioids will lead to seizures. It should not be used if you are prone to suicide or have a  drug addiction.

Before taking Tramadol, if you have,

  • any severe breathing problems 
  • sleep apnea
  • any blockage in the stomach
  • Prone to Alcohol Abuse 
  • Urination problems
  • Mental health issues
  • Narcotic Medication
  • Avoid taking MAO inhibitors in the past 14 days, such as (isocarboxazid, phenelzine, linezolid, etc.).
  • Tramadol can lead to life-threatening conditions such as slowing or stopping your breath due to the habit-forming of the drug, especially in a child or adult using the medicine without a doctor's prescription.
  • It should not be approved for children younger than 12 or older with recent surgery, like tonsils or adenoids.  

Suppose you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Please speak with your doctor before taking the drug because it may cause harmfulness to the fetus. So before taking the medication, talk with your doctor. 

The tramadol can pass into the breast milk and affect the newborn, leading to slow breathing or even death, so it is not recommended during breastfeeding.     

Tramadol Drug Interactions

Drug interactions simultaneously lead to severe Side Effects due to the drug's adverse reaction, changing the drug's working state. So Consult your doctor before taking the medication. 

Tramadol can interact with other medications, vitamins, and herbs you are taking. To avoid drug interaction, inform a doctor about all the medication you are using. Tramadol should not be taken with the drugs such as 

  • Carbamazepine: Taking the drug with Tramadol makes the medication less effective in relieving pain. It leads to cause an increase in the seizure activity in your body.
  • Anti-Depression medicine: Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Citalopram, Duloxetine, and Paroxetine
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors(MAOIs): Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, and Selegiline
  • Other drugs: lithium and linezolid
  • Headache drugs: Sumatriptan and Rizatriptan
  • Benzodiazepines drugs: Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Diazepam, and Lorazepam

Avoid these drugs taken with Tramadol because it may cause severe, dangerous effects on your health. 

Bottom Line From Practical Anxiety Solutions

So far now, we understand the drug Tramadol. Tramadol belongs to the group of opioid pain medications; it works on the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine, which will help relieve mild to moderate pain. The drug is not recommended for age groups less than 17 years. 

While consuming this drug, some drugs can lead to adverse reactions. Before taking medicine, inform them about your health history or any other medications you use to avoid side effects. 

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