Tramadol Overdose Facts And Statistics

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Symptoms and Signs of Tramadol Overdose

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Causes of Tramadol Overdose

In 2013, about 3.2 million people used tramadol for nonmedical purposes.NSDUHDrug dependence is a major risk factor for an overdose. While in general tramadol has been shown to have a lower potential for abuse and dependence than more potent opioids, such as codeine or hydrocodone, its abuse rate has been growing.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), about 3.2 million people used tramadol for nonmedical purposes in 2013, up from 2.7 million in 2012.

Some demographic factors may also have a bearing on the likelihood of a tramadol overdose. According to the NSDUH survey, the majority of people who abused tramadol were over the age of 26.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that tramadol is most likely to be abused by people who:

• Already suffer from a narcotic addiction.
• Are chronic pain patients.
• Are health professionals.

Also, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men are more likely to overdose on prescription painkillers, in general, although overdose rates in women have been rapidly rising in recent years.

Prescription painkiller dependence is in general associated with dependence on other substances, such as alcohol.

People who have struggled with substance addiction in the past may be more susceptible to dependence on opioids, putting them at higher risk of an overdose.

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When to Get Medical Help

Call 911 and request Emergency Medical Services immediate if the patient:

• Is experiencing respiratory or cardiovascular difficulties.
• Loses consciousness at any point.

These can be signs of a serious, potentially fatal, overdose and should not be taken lightly.

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How to Avoid an Overdose

Overdose is most likely when the drug is being abused, so the best way to avoid a tramadol overdose is to use the drug correctly.

• Take tramadol only if prescribed by a doctor.
• Follow your doctor’s dosage instructions.
• Take tramadol as it’s prescribed; usually orally.
  • Snorting or injecting crushed up tramadol can be dangerous, especially at high doses.
• Don’t mix tramadol with other substances, such as:
  • Alcohol.
  • Other opioids.
  • Central nervous system (CNS) depressants (e.g., Valium, Xanax, Ambien).

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Treatment for Tramadol Overdose

According to the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), treatment of a tramadol overdose should focus first on maintaining adequate ventilation, so the patient is able to breathe.Naloxone is a type of narcotic that may be used to help reverse the effects of a tramadol overdose.

It works by attaching itself to the same receptors in the brain that tramadol (and other opioids) affect, preventing them from binding at these sites and producing their usual effects.

Because of tramadol’s somewhat atypical mechanism of action, naloxone administration only partially reverses some of the dangers in an overdose situation.

Furthermore, while naloxone can help to somewhat reduce the respiratory and central nervous system depression that an overdose might cause, the FDA warns that it can also increase the patient’s risk of seizure and should, therefore, be used carefully.

A type of narcotic may be used to help reverse the effects of a tramadol overdose, but should be used carefully.Should seizure activity be present, appropriate sedative or anticonvulsant medication is indicated to safely manage the patient.

Patients experiencing severe respiratory difficulties may need to receive oxygen.

In severe cases, patients may also experience irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrest or may need more drastic treatments, such as defibrillation.

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Recovering from Tramadol Overdose

Physical recovery from a tramadol overdose may depend on the severity of the overdose. In extreme cases, overdose may have serious consequences, such as:

• Pulmonary edema.
• Cardiac arrest.
• Liver failure.

In these situations, extended hospital stays followed by continued treatment may be necessary even after the immediate effects of the overdose have been taken care of.

If the patient was also suffering from a tramadol dependency at the time of the overdose, he or she might also have to cope with withdrawal effects during recovery.

Withdrawal symptoms can include:

Since patients undergoing withdrawal may experience mood changes, such as nervousness. Some may also wish to seek treatment for their psychological symptoms during their recovery.