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.