Tramadol Side Effects, Symptoms & Signs of Abuse
Tramadol is an opioid painkiller that is prescribed to help manage moderate to severe pain. Doctors may prescribe tramadol for short- or long-term management of acute or chronic pain. The drug, marketed under brand names such as Ultram and Ultracet, has been available in the U.S. since 1995 and is classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a Schedule IV Controlled Substance.
As a narcotic, tramadol impacts your brain’s reward centers, prompting you to desire more of the drug. Even if you use tramadol in accordance with your doctor’s orders, the drug can still cause problems — including addiction.
Whether you are concerned about your own use or the use of someone you love, learn and watch for the signs of tramadol abuse and addiction.
Behavioral Signs
- Nonmedical use of the drug
- Visiting multiple doctors to get more prescriptions
- “Drug-seeking” behaviors such as emergency doctor visits and lying about loss of prescriptions
- Continued use despite negative consequences
Psychological Signs
- Belief that the drug is necessary to get through the day
- Craving the drug
- Lack of control over tramadol use
Long-term tramadol side effects may include physical dependency, whether or not addiction is present. However, as you continue taking tramadol, your risk of addiction to the drug increases. Even if you don’t develop addiction, long-term use of this drug will likely cause withdrawal symptoms when you detox from tramadol. The following are some of the minor and major side effects:
Minor Tramadol Side Effects
Some of the most common short-term, minor side effects of tramadol are listed below. Many of these effects require no medical attention, as they disappear on their own after the body adjusts to the medication. However, if any of these side effects continue, or if you simply have questions or concerns about them, consult your health care provider:
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- Tiny pupils
- Anxiety, nervousness or irritability
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Perceived body temperature changes
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Shivering
- Weakness
- Skin itching or redness
- Back pain
- Headache
- Sadness
- Loss of appetite
Major Tramadol Side Effects
Tramadol can also cause more serious problems, though they occur less frequently than the aforementioned side effects. If you experience any of the following side effects, consult your doctor as soon as possible:
- Blisters under the skin
- Seizures
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Severe cramping
- Irregular or slow heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Hallucinations
- Erectile dysfunction
- Irregular menstruation
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Memory loss
- Death by overdose
- Severe nausea
- Fainting
Tramadol side effects aren’t something that should be taken lightly, especially when a serious side effect is involved. Have your health care provider’s information handy at all times, should you ever have an immediate question or concern.

Due to the gravity of this situation, it’s important that you know the symptoms of tramadol overdose. They are as follows:
- Unconsciousness or coma
- Slowed or stopped breathing
- Muscle flaccidity
- Cold and clammy skin
- Seizures
- Heart attack
- Death
The latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-V, measures addiction severity using a criteria count from 2–11, with two being the least severe level of addiction and 11 being the most severe level of addiction. Criteria include factors such as the amount and frequency of your substance use, the level of impairment you experience due to your substance use, and more. The more criteria that you meet, the higher your count.
Tramadol addiction severity is determined numerically like so:
•Mild (2–3 criteria)
•Moderate (4–5 criteria)
•Severe (6+ criteria)
Seeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help.
Your call is confidential, and there's no pressure to commit to treatment until you're ready. As a voluntary facility, we're here to help you heal -- on your terms. Our sole focus is getting you back to the healthy, sober life you deserve, and we are ready and waiting to answer your questions or concerns 24/7.
Speak to an Intake Coordinator now.352.771.2700
Consider holding a tramadol addiction intervention. This event should be carefully planned to meet the following three goals:
- 1.Give specific examples to your loved one of how their addiction has hurt you.
2.Offer treatment options that you have already researched and vetted.
3.States what you will do if your loved one does not agree to do treatment.
Because interventions can be difficult and emotional, you may want to consult an intervention specialist or another addiction professional to help with the planning and executing processes. They may recommend you begin by writing an intervention letter to your loved one. Whether you opt to intervene along or with outside help, remember that your primary objective is to bring your loved one back to health.
Mayo Clinic Staff. “Intervention: Help a Loved One Overcome Addiction.” Mayo Clinic, 26 Sept. 2014, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/intervention/art-20047451. Accessed 13 Jan. 2017.
Seeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help.
Your call is confidential, and there's no pressure to commit to treatment until you're ready. As a voluntary facility, we're here to help you heal -- on your terms. Our sole focus is getting you back to the healthy, sober life you deserve, and we are ready and waiting to answer your questions or concerns 24/7.
Speak to an Intake Coordinator now.352.771.2700