Popularity of Tramadol Over Other Pain Relief Medications

Although people have many different options when it comes to prescription pain medication, not all are considered excellent choices. However, Tramadol is one type of medication that has become increasingly popular over the years, which is what we wanted to focus on in this article. With the information provided, individual has the opportunity to discover the reasons that Tramadol is considered a more effective choice than other popular pain medications on the market.

Keep in mind that Tramadol is actually sold under several brand names to include Ultram, Conzip, Ultracet, and Ryzolt in the United States, as well as Zytram XL, Durella, and Ralivia in Canada and Adolonta in Spain. Regardless of the name, this particular drug is a synthetic analgesic prescribed for moderate to moderately severe pain. In addition, Tramadol has slight M-opioid receptor properties that boost the level of serotonin. While some people may not get the desired results from taking Tramadol most do.

Pain Intensity

As stated, there are a number of reasons that Tramadol is considered a more popular prescription pain medication over others. For starters, many mainstream medications are limited to the effectiveness specific to severity of pain. In other words, many drugs work only for moderate pain levels while others work on moderately severe pain levels but with Tramadol, the range is quite broad.

Types of Pain

Another reason for the popularity of Tramadol over other pain medications is that it works for a wide spectrum of pain types. For instance, this drug has been shown to be both safe and effective for treating Rheumatoid Arthritis, Motor Neurone Disease, fibromyalgia, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, MS, Restless Leg Syndrome, and many additional illnesses that trigger pain.

Risk of Addiction

Tramadol is a drug with similar characteristics to codeine. However, one of the many reasons that this prescription medication is more popular than others is that there is a low risk of physical dependency. Sadly, dependency on narcotic prescription drugs has become an epidemic problem and as such, has led to many unnecessary deaths. While there is some risk when Tramadol is taken long-term, the degree is far less than risk associated with other pain medications.

For example, Tramadol is a popular choice for treating low back pain, something that affects millions of people. However, while it provides narcotic type relief and is much stronger than acetaminophen, Tramadol produces only a slight narcotic effect. Therefore, people with moderate to moderately severe pain can have confidence in becoming virtually pain free but without being worried about the risk of addiction.

Technically speaking, Tramadol is considered an opioid or narcotic type of pain medication but it is unique from other similar drugs being prescribed. In simple terms, the primary reason that people do not have the same degree of risk for addiction with Tramadol over other prescription medications is that there is little chance of building up a tolerance. As a result, the common issue of dosage escalation is alleviated.

Delivery System

While perhaps not one of the main reasons for being so popular, many people actually appreciate that Tramadol is available in numerous delivery systems to include the following:

• Regular and extended release capsules
• Regular, extended release, low residue, uncoated, and chewable tablets
• Effervescent powders and tablets
• Compounding powders
• Liquid
• IV solutions
• Capsules and tablets that contain aspirin and other similar agents

Treatment for Depression

One of the most interesting things about Tramadol compared to other types of pain medication is that it has been proven to help decrease the effects of depression. Although additional research on the subject is necessary, initial studies and clinical tests show that for both major and severe depression, this drug provides much-needed relief. Keep in mind that this medication is commonly used to treat pain but because it boosts the brain chemical serotonin, it also offers benefits for people suffering from depression.

As most people know, serotonin is the "feel good" chemical naturally produced by the body. With Tramadol being a Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor or SNRI, it helps boosts levels of this chemical in the central nervous system. Therefore, someone feeling depressed would experience an improved mood and have a greater sense of well-being by taking Tramadol.

We also want to point out that along with depression, studies and clinical trials show that Tramadol is a popular medication because it also works for treating anxiety and certain phobias. Now, it is important to know that pain often manifests depression and anxiety. In other words, when someone lives with constant pain, it is common for mood begins to deteriorate to the point of a person being depressed or anxious. The great thing about Tramadol is that is has the ability to treat the pain but also the fallout issues.

Standalone or Combination Treatment

The last reason for the popularity of Tramadol is that doctors can use this drug as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other medications. Many highly respected medical societies and organizations recommend Tramadol as a standalone treatment but also a treatment that can be used in combination with Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAID's for treating patients with certain health conditions to include osteoarthritis. Due to negative drug interactions, this is something not recommended for several of the other commonly prescribed pain medications.

Conclusion

Of course, only a qualified doctor could determine if Tramadol were in fact the appropriate treatment but for many people who live with moderate to moderately severe pain, as well as individuals who struggle with depression and anxiety, this drug is a popular choice. With the information provided, it is easy to see why Tramadol is more popular than other pain prescription medications but there are many additional benefits to consider.