How long does the tramadol stay in your System? (+5 Facts You Need To know)

Tramadol is a medicine that works as a painkiller. It is used to treat mild to severe pain. It can be taken only with the doctor’s prescription.

A dose of tramadol starts to show its effects between 1 to 4 hours. After that, it will generally stay in your body for around 35 hours. But, it can still be noticed in urine, hair, saliva, and blood even after 35 hours. How long the tramadol stays in your system also depends on several factors.

Please keep reading to know what tramadol is, its different types, whether it is safe or not, its side effects, and more.

Facts About Tramadol

Here are a few facts about tramadol that you must know.

• Taking tramadol may make you feel dizzy and sick.
• Drinking alcohol along with tramadol can be unsafe because the risk of experiencing side effects increases.
• Tramadol may be taken with or without the food.
• Tramadol is considered dangerous for pregnant or breastfeeding. It shouldn’t be given to them without the confirmation of the doctor.
• You may become dependent or addicted to tramadol. But with the help of doctors, it can be controlled.

What Is Tramadol?

Tramadol is a medicine that is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It works in both types of pain, acute and chronic. You can find tramadol being sold under the brand names like Conzip and Ultram.

If it is taken as prescribed by the doctor, the side effects are very low. However, if more than prescribed is taken, you may start to feel sick, sleepy, and dizzy. In some cases, overdosing on tramadol can also cause severe consequences like becoming unconscious. In this case, emergency treatment will be required.

How Does Tramadol Work?

When tramadol goes into our body, it changes the way of how our brain feels pain.

Within a few hours, the body starts to feel relief from the pain.

The Different Types Of Tramadol

Tramadol medicine comes in four forms:

1. Tramadol Tablets

There are four types of tramadol tablets, including:

• Slow-acting tablets – The amount of tramadol these kinds of tablets contain is 50mg, 75mg, 100mg, 150mg, 200mg, 300mg, and even 400mg. Slow-acting tablets release in our body gradually. It takes between 12 to 24 hours. It may take a long time to start working, but it lasts for a longer time. That’s why it is known to be best for long-term pain.
• Fast-acting tablets – The amount of tramadol these tablets contain is 50mg.
• Soluble tablets – The amount of tramadol these tablets contain is 50mg.
• Tables that get dissolved in the mouth – The amount of tramadol these tablets contain is also 50mg.

2. Tramadol Capsules

There are two types of tramadol capsules, including:

• Slow acting capsules – The amount of tramadol these capsules contain is 50mg, 100mg, 150mg, and 200mg.
• Fast-acting capsules – The amount of tramadol these capsules contain is 50mg.

3. Tramadol Drops

Tramadol drops are swallowed through the mouth. In the 1ml liquid, 100mg tramadol would be available.

4. Tramadol Injections

Tramadol injections are usually given in hospitals.

According to Healthline, drops, and injections of tramadol are not available in the US as tramadol tablets and capsules are primarily used there.

However, when you take your dose of tramadol, make sure that you are taking the amount as advised by the doctor. Otherwise, you may have to experience side effects. Your doctor may experiment by giving you a different amount of tramadol doses to determine what’s best for you. Probably, they will opt for giving you the lowest dose.

How Long Does The Tramadol Stay In Your System?

Generally, tramadol stays in our system for about 35 hours. But still, it may remain in the following parts of the body:

• Hair – Tramadol can be found in the hair for between 30-90 days after taking the last dose of tramadol.
• Urine – Tramadol can be found in the urine for between 24-72 hours after taking the last dose of tramadol.
• Blood – Tramadol can be found in the blood for more than 48 hours after taking the last dose of tramadol.
• Saliva – Tramadol can be found in the saliva for more than 48 hours after taking the last dose of tramadol.

Apart from these things, there are also a few factors that influence how long does the tramadol stay in your system, which include:

• Age – Older people already have a slow metabolism. This can cause the body to take a longer time to eliminate tramadol. They are also at a higher risk of having a low functioning kidney and liver, which ultimately impacts how long the tramadol stays in their system.
• The dose of tramadol you took – If you have taken the lower amount of tramadol, it may get eliminated from the body in a short time. But if you have taken a high dose of tramadol, then it may stay longer.
• Metabolism – If your body has a slow metabolism, it will take longer to break down and eliminate tramadol from the body. The reason behind slow metabolism can be many. For example, diet, age, body composition, and activity level.
• The functionality of your organs like liver and kidney – If the functionality of the liver and kidney is not up to a point, then your body may take a longer time to eliminate tramadol.
• The number of times you took tramadol – How long tramadol stays in your system also depends on how many times you have taken it. If you used to take tramadol daily, it might take longer for your body to get rid of it.

Is Tramadol Safe?

If you take tramadol as prescribed by your doctor, then you will be safe. But, if you take an inappropriate dose of tramadol without a prescription, then it can create difficulties. For example, you may feel dizzy or sick. In some cases, difficulty in breathing can also be experienced.

Tramadol is not known to be safe for children. Therefore, it can be given to them only if the doctor approves it.

Also, FDA has clearly stated that tramadol shouldn’t be given to anyone under 18 years of age. This is because it may cause the following side effects in children:

• Noisy breathing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Slow breathing
• Unusual feeling of sleepiness
• Confusion

In case if your child takes tramadol accidentally and shows the side effects mentioned above, then reach out to emergency medical help.

How Can I Determine If I Can Take Tramadol Or Not?

Adults and children can take tramadol only with a doctor’s prescription.

However, tramadol may not be safe for people who are having the following conditions:

• A disease that can cause seizer
• Injury on head
• Alcohol addiction
• Strong painkiller addiction
• Trouble in breathing
• Problems in liver or kidney
• Allergy to the tramadol
• Allergy to any other medicine in the past

If you have these conditions, make sure to inform your doctor before taking tramadol.

What’s The Proper Dosage Of Tramadol?

Unfortunately, there’s not an exact answer to this question. Your doctor is the one who can determine what’s the proper dosage for you. They may ask you about the following things to decide an appropriate dose:

• Your inclination towards experiencing tramadol side effects
• Your experience with painkillers

Taking proper dosage will determine many essential things, like how long tramadol will stay in your system. So, make sure to take it as advised by your doctor.

How To Take Tramadol?

Here’s how you should be taking the different types of tramadol.

• Soluble tablets – Take 50ml of water, dissolve each tablet, and drink.
• Tablets that get dissolved in the mouth – Keep the tablet on your tongue and start sucking it. Don’t chew. It will dissolve, and you can swallow it. You can also drink a glass of water.
• Capsules – Take the pill, keep it on your tongue and swallow it with water.
• Drops – Pour the drops in a glass of water, mix and drink it.

Note – You should never chew the slow-release tramadol tablets or capsules because it can make it ineffective and may also cause an overdose.

What’s The Best Time To Take Tramadol?

Generally, there is not any specific time to take tramadol. It can be taken at any time. But NHS has recommended taking tramadol every day at the same time.

Let’s say you are taking your first dose at 7 am; try taking your second dose at 7 pm on the same day. How many times you should take tramadol also depends on what type of tramadol you are taking. For example, if you take drops, you need to take them about 3 to 4 times a day. If you take capsules and tablets, then it depends on if it’s fast-acting or slow release.

Fast-acting tablets and capsules should be taken 3-4 times a day. On the other hand, slow-release tablets and capsules should be taken 1-2 times a day.

Remember – You should talk to your doctor about how many times you should take tramadol per day, especially if you are old-aged or have some liver or kidney issues. They may recommend you to take it less frequently.

Can I Take Tramadol With Other Medicines?

You can take tramadol with other medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, and paracetamol. But, tramadol may interact with the following medications:

• Medicines to treat the heart
• Medicines to treat mental health issues
• Medicines to treat any infection
• Medicines to treat sleep disorders
• Medicines to treat the allergy signs
• Medicines for thinning the blood
• Medicines to decrease the anxiety and stress
• Medecines to treat pain

Suppose any of these medicines interact with tramadol. In that case, it can cause a decrease in effectiveness, an increase in the risk of having side effects. It may also affect the longevity of the effects of tramadol.

If you are already taking any medicine, make sure to inform your doctor. They may help you to manage how to take other drugs along with tramadol.

What If I Accidently Overdose Tramadol?

Tramadol overdose can be very dangerous and is considered a medical emergency. It can lead to some serious consequences such as difficulty in breathing. In some more serious cases, it may lead to permanent damage to the brain, coma, or even death.

But, if you have only taken an extra dose of tramadol, the chances of experiencing side effects are very low.

If you have taken more than 2 extra doses of tramadol, reach out to a medical emergency as soon as possible.

To avoid an overdose on tramadol or any other medication, follow your doctor’s prescription.

Many people have a belief that taking more tramadol will help them to get relief from the pain faster. But, that’s not true. It can cause other health complications. If you think that there is a need to bring some changes in the dosage, ask your doctor first.

What Are The Most Common Side Effects Of Tramadol?

Here are some of the most common side effects of tramadol:

• Feeling sick, tired, sleepy, or dizzy
• Headache
• Feeling low on energy
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Nervousness
• Mood swings
• Itching
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Anxiety

Most likely, these side effects will go away on their own. But if they don’t, contact your doctor.

Some more severe side effects of tramadol:

• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Feeling extremely sleepy
• Difficulty in peeing
• Low blood pressure
• Short breathing
• Difficulty in breathing

If you experience any of these severe side effects, call your doctor right away.

Note – This was not the complete list of side effects of tramadol. So, reach out to your doctor if you face any health issues after the consumption of tramadol.

Things That You Need To Know Before Taking Tramadol

Apart from knowing how long tramadol stays in your system, it’s also essential to know some of the most important things about tramadol:

• If you are taking tramadol on a long-term basis, never stop it suddenly. Talk to your doctor about it. They will probably recommend you to reduce taking tramadol gradually.
• Tramadol may cause some allergic reactions. If you experience them, make sure to inform your doctor.
• Tramadol can reduce the ability to perform any activity that requires attention and energy. So, try to avoid driving or performing risky tasks. You can perform them only if you are sure that the effects of tramadol have gone away.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding a woman, then completely avoid taking tramadol. Take it only if your doctor has recommended it.
• Say straight no to alcohol when taking tramadol. Because it increases the risk of having side effects.
• Keep tramadol out the reach of children and pets. Click here to know about tramadol for dogs.

Conclusion | How Long Does The Tramadol Stay In Your System

Tramadol is a medicine that is generally used to treat mild to severe pain. It is available in four forms – Tablets, capsules, drops, and injections. Which one you should be taking can be determined with the help of your doctor.

Tramadol primarily works by changing the way your brain senses pain. It stays in the body for about 35 hours. But, it can still be detected in the hair, urine, blood, and saliva for more than 35 hours. How long tramadol stays in your system also depends from person to person.

Tramadol is safe to take if you follow the instruction of your doctor. Never make changes in the dosage without talking to your doctor.