FACTS OF TRAMADOL

1. Tramadol is in a group of drugs called opiate agonists. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain by changing the way the body senses pain.
2. Tramadol can either be taken as a normal tablet or an extended-release (long-acting) tablet to be taken through the mouth. The regular tablet can be taken with or without food every four to six hours or as needed. 
3. The extended-release tablet should only be taken once a day around the same time every day.
4. When using extended-release the patient either needs to always take it with food or always take it without food. 
5. The extended-release tablets should only be taken whole. It is dangerous to split, chew, crush, snort or inject the dissolved form of the tablet.
6. It is important to only take the medication as the doctor prescribes because it is a highly dependent drug.

SYMPTOMS OF TRAMADOL DRUG ADDICTION

1. If you are addicted to tramadol and are trying to quit the habit, you may end up feeling withdrawal symptoms.
2. Symptoms can vary from moderate to very severe and includeTremors
   Anxiety
   Inability to sleep
   Sweating
   Diarrhea
   Hallucinations
   Pain.
   
3. It is recommended that you do not stop taking the medication abruptly.
4. You will need to gradually get off the drug in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms and not relapse.

TRAMADOL - SIGNS OF ADDICTION

• If a patient is using tramadol in a manner that is inconsistent with treatment, they are addicted to the drug. 
• Inconsistencies include taking higher dosages of the drug or taking tramadol more frequently then you are supposed to. 
• Other signs of addiction include a patient getting multiple prescriptions from different doctors to get more tramadol. 
• You may also be addicted if you are stealing tramadol or you are acquiring the drug from outside sources.

TRAMAOL IS ADDICTIVE OR NOT?

• Tramadol is classified as a narcotic but is not a drug like morphine. 

• Many patients are weary of taking this drug due to its likelihood for addiction. 

• If tramadol is used as recommended, you will not become dependent or addicted to the drug.

• Many patients who use tramadol have claimed that the drug is addicting. 

• A recent study by the Journal of Family Practice found that tramadol has a low risk of addiction. 

• Tramadol is considered to be one of the better pain relievers that is available, but dependence can become an issue if prescriptions are not monitored.