Tramadol And Neuropathy

Today's post from wiki.answers.com (see link below) gives a full description of what Tramadol is generally used for. Many people with neuropathic pain take Tramadol under the assumption that it is an opioid and therefore carries the same connotations that opioid use normally does. This post clears up that misconception and explains that while 'close' to the opioid family, in fact Tramadol is slightly different and works differently too. This is not to say that Tramadol can be taken lightly and used in the same way one would use codeine or other such analgesics. There are side effects for some people to consider and 400mg a day is the absolute limit for an adult with severe neuropathic pain but it can also reduce pain when all else fails and is a possible alternative to other pain'killing drugs. Discussion with your doctor is absolutely essential and always check Tramadol against other medications you may be using.

What is Tramadol hcl (hydrochloride ed:) Used For?

Answer:

Tramadol (Ultram, Ultram ER, Ultracet, Tramal, Zydol, Contramal) is a synthetic analog of codeine and commonly referred to as a pseudo-opioid. Tramadol has mild agonist actions at the μ-opioid (mu-opioid) receptor; the primary receptor morphine and other opioids bind with. Tramadol also has antidepressant actions by reducing reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin much like SNRI class antidepressants such as Cymbalta and Effexor. Antidepressants are occasionally used in pain control because they can modulate pain, presumably like Tramadol does. It also is a mild norepinephrine agonist and it has unique anti-inflammatory actions. It is FDA approved to treat moderate-moderately severe pain, both acute and chronic.

Tramadol has been shown to be particularly effective in treating people with neuropathic (nerve pain) pain, which tends not to respond to most "classic" opioids like morphine, oxycodone, or hydrocodone. Tramadol is approximately as effective a codeine in treating pain. However individual results greatly vary, some find it to be highly effective and others find it to provide no noticeable analgesia. Many doctors believe that the analgesia Tramadol produces is a result of synergism of the mu agonist action, the inhibition of norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake, and the anti-inflammatory action.

Tramadol is not a controlled substance like codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, methadone, Demerol, or oxycodone is. However in a few US states Tramadol in a schedule IV drug under state law. Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, and Massachusetts have placed restrictions on Tramadol.

It is sometimes used off label for restless leg syndrome and it is used in a wide variety of neuropathic problems like diabetic neuropathy. There are have been cases were Tramadol has been given to people with refractory depression who do not respond to other drugs. Tramadol can also be an effective antihypertensive (it lowers blood pressure) if other measures fail to succeed. Often people taking Tramadol have much lower blood pressure.
 

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_Tramadol_hcl_used_for