What Is Tramadol?

Tips For Taking It

Tramadol should be stored at room temperature, and it needs to be kept away from moisture and heat. Patients can take tramadol with or without food, and it should be taken the same way each time. Tramadol can slow down an individual's breathing, and this is most likely to happen when the patient first starts using the medicine or when the dose is changed. Patients should let their doctor know if they notice any breathing changes while taking this drug. When tramadol is started, patients need to stop taking all other narcotic pain relievers used around-the-clock. This medicine should be used at the exact dose prescribed, as taking larger doses could result in life-threatening or fatal complications. Tramadol tablets should never be crushed, broken, or inhaled, as this could be fatal. The extended-release tablet shell may be visible in the patient's stools, and this is considered normal. Patients who want to stop taking tramadol need to talk to their doctor first, since stopping the medication suddenly could cause withdrawal symptoms.