How is tramadol prescribed?

Tramadol is an opioid medication prescribed in starting odses of 25 mg to help manage pain and withdrawal symptoms. More on Tramadol dosage, cost, and prescriptions here.

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What do doctors prescribe tramadol for?

Tramadol is a prescription drug used to manage mild to moderate pain, as well as the withdrawal symptoms of opiate and opioid addiction.  How does tramadol affect the brain?  Tramadol works by altering the way that pain is perceived in the brain. Because tramadol can sometimes cause feelings of euphoria, and tramadol dependence time occurs within 3-4 weeks of use, tramadol is only available and used legally with a prescription from a medical doctor.

Tramadol prescription dosage

Tramadol duration of action for immediate release versions is around 4-6 hours.  Doctors will usually start patients on 25 mg of tramadol. Eventually, you may end up taking 50 mg – 100 mg doses not more than 4 times a day. The safe dose of tramadol will depend on your unique medical history as well as your previous exposure to opiates or opioid medications.

Tramadol prescription cost

As with any prescription drug, the cost of paying to fill a prescription for tramadol will depend on your insurance. In some states, generic tramadol is offered by various drug store chains for less than $10. But tramadol can cost around $60 per refill if you don’t have insurance and are not eligible for a discount program.

Can you get tramadol over the counter?

No. You cannot get Tramadol over the counter. Tramadol is available by prescription only.Tramadol is potentially addictive, and although the addiction liability for tramadol is relatively low when compared with other opioids like hydrocodone or oxycodone, tramadol is only prescribed to people experiencing pain which can’t be helped by over-the-counter medication.

Signs of Tramadol prescription drug abuse

If you use tramadol to help manage pain, you might develop a tolerance and dependence on the medication, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you are addicted to tramadol. Instead, tramadol abuse and resulting addiction usually occurs when people take tramadol specifically to get high.

Tramadol is less addictive than other, similar medications, but it can still be abused to “get high”. An addiction to tramadol results in a psychological compulsion to seek out the drug, even when it has negative effects on the addict’s personal or professional life. And signs of tramadol prescription drug abuse include taking tramadol:

1. in higher doses than prescribed

2. more frequently than prescribed

3. without a prescription

Tramadol prescription questions

Do you still have questions about Tramadol prescriptions? Please leave them here. We are happy to help answer your questions personally and promptly. If we do not know the answer to your particular question, we will refer you to someone who does.

Reference Sources:PubMed Health: Tramadol
DailyMed: Tramadol Hydrochloride
ToxNet: Tramadol
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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