Tramadol Overdose: Symptoms, Complications, and Recovery Process

Tramadol (TR) is a potent painkiller used to treat severe pain. It belongs to the opioid category, and if used for long periods, it can lead to the development of tolerance to it. Developing tolerance to tramadol means that a person needs to take more to experience its effects. This often uncontrolled increase in tramadol consumption can have deadly consequences. Unfortunately, in many cases, the result is tramadol overdose. 

Tramadol overdose can happen even to those who strictly follow instructions from their physician. Keeping this in mind, we at Little Creek would like to share with you basic information on tramadol use, early signs of tramadol dependence, and when to seek Pennsylvania substance abuse treatment programs. Keep reading to learn about the timely and proper reaction to tramadol dependence.

What is Tramadol? Understanding its Uses and Risks

Tramadol is an opioid painkiller used to treat moderate pain. It is less habit-forming than other opioids. However, it can still result in dependence or addiction. According to data by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the rate of addiction is 1 in 100,000. The majority of identified cases had prior issues with addiction, but experts caution that addiction can occur even in those without a history of substance abuse. 

You should not use Tramadol for chronic pain. If a person uses tramadol for an extended period, a tolerance to it may develop. Signs that you have developed dependence if not tramadol addiction, are withdrawal symptoms that occur if you try to stop using it. If you abruptly stop using tramadol, you may experience the following withdrawal symptoms:

• feeling agitated or anxious,
• having panic attacks,
• feeling your heartbeat (palpitations),
• difficulty sleeping,
• shaking,
• sweating,
• body aches,
• feeling restless.

Can You Overdose on Tramadol?

While some people change medications when they develop tolerance, others might increase their tramadol intake. Increased dosage may cause tramadol intoxication or tramadol overdose, which can have a serious impact on your body.

What organ does tramadol damage? Overconsuming tramadol can affect multiple organ systems, including:

• gastrointestinal system, 
• central nervous system, 
• cardiovascular system, 
• respiratory system, 
• renal system (renal failure with higher doses of tramadol intoxication), 
• musculoskeletal system, 
• endocrine system.

Uncontrollable tramadol consumption can lead to tramadol overdose. Polysubstance use can also be a potential cause of overdose. Generally, acute TR overdose is not life-threatening, and tramadol death by overdose usually happens due to polysubstance use.

And what is the tramadol overdose amount? Scientists tried to discover how much tramadol is toxic. According to research on tramadol overdose, those who experienced it consumed an average of 1500 mg of tramadol (ranging from 500 to 4,000). The incidence of severe complications from TR overdose significantly increased with a dose over 1,000 mg.

Tramadol Overdose Symptoms

It’s crucial to recognize tramadol overdose symptoms and differentiate them from cocaine overdose symptoms to ensure a prompt and suitable response when necessary. An acute overdose of tramadol can result in the following tramadol overdose symptoms:

• Miosis (small or constricted pupils),
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat,
• Abnormally low blood pressure,
• Difficulty with breathing and respiratory depression,
• Hypotonicity (lack of muscle tone) or weak muscles,
• Severe sleepiness, unusual tiredness, or extreme fatigue,
• Cold, clammy skin,
• Gray or bluish tint to the skin,
• Acidosis,
• Lightheadedness,
• Falling in and out of consciousness (“nodding out”),
• Decreased awareness or responsiveness,
• Seizures,
• CNS suppression,
• Coma.

Tramadol Overdose Complications

While acute TR overdose is not necessarily life-threatening, various complications can take place. Complications associated with tramadol overdose include:

• Atypical snoring.
• Seizures.
• Partial or complete airway obstruction.
• Fluid in the lungs (i.e., pulmonary edema).
• Slowed heart rate (i.e., bradycardia).
• Decreased blood pressure (hypotension).

Potential TR overdose complications also include life-threatening complications such as cardiopulmonary arrest, acute liver failure, and serotonin toxicity. Acute liver failure has been associated with overdoses involving tramadol and acetaminophen combinations. Serotonin toxicity, or serotonin syndrome, occurs when serotonergic medicines are combined with tramadol. Symptoms and signs of serotonin syndrome include at least three of the following: agitation, ataxia, increased sweating, diarrhea, fever, hyperreflexia, myoclonus, or shivering. 

What Not to Mix Tramadol With? 

Understanding which substances to avoid mixing with tramadol is critical, as polysubstance use typically leads to lethal consequences from tramadol overdose. You should tell your doctor if you are taking any medications:

• for depression,
• for mental health problems,
• for pain relief,
• to help you sleep,
• to reduce tension or anxiety,
• to treat symptoms of an allergy,
• to help prevent blood clots (such as warfarin),
• to treat an infection.

It is especially dangerous to mix tramadol with alcohol and substances such as sedatives and painkillers. 

Tramadol and Alcohol

Avoid mixing tramadol with alcohol, as it can lead to sleepiness and more severe side effects. Some experts recommend refraining from consuming any alcohol during the initial days of tramadol use until you see how the medicine affects you. Others warn about the sedative and respiratory depressing effects of both, which could lead to unconsciousness, coma, respiratory arrest, overdose, or death.

Combining tramadol and alcohol can have short- and long-term consequences and increase the risk of overdosing on tramadol.

Short-term effects may include:

• Increased sedation,
• Impaired cognitive function,
• Respiratory depression,
• Gastrointestinal issues.

The following are potential long-term effects of mixing tramadol and alcohol:

• Increased tolerance, 
• Physical and psychological addiction,
• Liver damage,
• Cardiovascular issues.

Tramadol and Other Substances 

Research also found that mixing tramadol and antidepressants increases the risk of serotonin toxicity. Serotonin toxicity, or serotonin syndrome, is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by increased serotonergic activity in the central nervous system. 

You shouldn’t take tramadol with a medicine called monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or MAOIs (which are used to treat depression). This combination can cause significant side effects such as anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations. Furthermore, research shows that mixing various antidepressants with tramadol can result in a decreased effect of tramadol, leading to increased consumption and, consequentially, tramadol overdose.

Emergency Response to Tramadol Overdose

To potentially reverse and treat an overdose on tramadol, immediate medical attention is required. Here’s what you can do:

• Call 911 right away.
• Administer naloxone if available.
• To help prevent choking, place the person on their side.
• Try to keep them awake and breathing.
• Always stay with the person until help arrives.

Recovery Process After a Tramadol Overdose

Little Creek Middletown Rehab Center treats the body, mind, and soul. We aid the body with the detoxification process, rely on psychotherapy to empower the mind, and employ alternative therapies (like yoga) to heal the soul. 

The combination of slow tapering tramadol and adding lorazepam and clonidine to treat the restlessness and anxiety associated with withdrawal proved effective for detoxification, the first step in treating tramadol dependence. A licensed professional should perform the tapering. Trying it yourself may not work because withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, and there is a risk of relapse. 

Structured inpatient drug rehab centers in Pennsylvania can provide control and monitoring of one’s state and a swift response in case of complications. Inpatient programs allow you to isolate yourself from your surroundings and concentrate solely on your recovery. To help you be mentally present and not worry about anything other than your rehab, we partnered up with major insurance companies that can support your recovery. If you have Aetna rehab coverage, you can count on your recovery journey with Little Creek being partially or fully covered. 

Furthermore, Pennsylvania opioid treatment programs include both physical and mental health recovery. Physical recovery entails taking medications that manage withdrawal symptoms. Mental health recovery implies psychotherapy to understand the underlying causes of addiction. Psychotherapy can help develop healthy coping mechanisms for various situations, stress management techniques, and skills that would help you confront any potential mental health challenge in the future.

Our drug rehab Pennsylvania also relies on holistic alternative approaches, such as music and identity therapy and yoga for addiction. These approaches allow you to find yourself, feel connected with your body, and express yourself.

Recovery is Possible After a Tramadol Overdose

Tramadol overdose can happen for a variety of reasons, and in most cases, it is not life-threatening. It is important to react swiftly to any signs of overdosing on tramadol and seek professional help to support your tramadol recovery. A tailored prescription drug addiction rehab can help you overcome both physical and mental dependence on tramadol.

Whether you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms after stopping Tramadol or have experienced a TR overdose, we at Little Creek can help you reclaim your life and recover. Contact us and embark on the right path to recovery and personal growth.