Suggest Treatment For Depression Caused By Tramadol Withdrawal

Posted on Fri, 2 Jan 2015

Question: I have been taking tramodol for a year
200mg per day. I stoped a week ago
Now i am really depressed and legs feel funny

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
opioid withdrawal effects.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

TRAMADOL is an opioid analgesic medication , if used in high doses for an extended period of time results in physical dependence. It should be tapered off and not stopped abruptly.

Although the best way to come out of it is to consult your doctor and initiate it under his supervision and guidance , it can be given a try by you to see for improvement.
Taper the dose slowly and gradually at fixed percentages so that your body starts getting used to the lower doses , its a sort of acclimatization or adjustment to a new internal environment which is always difficult , initially.

Taper the dose by 10 percent every week for a month then lower the same dose by 20 percent and the next month should include alternate day tapering and skipped doses on alternate days to help you come off the drug. Medication like Suboxone may be prescribed to help you in withdrawal phase if the tapering is not proving successful or serious withdrawal effects and episodes occur.

Please consult your doctor before using any medication.

Let me know if you have any query

wishing you best of health
Thanks

Dr. M.S.Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (10 hours later)

I have akready stopped for a week. So now i dont want to start up again. How long will it take my body to get use to not having tramodol

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Try alternate medications

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

An abrupt halt to tramadol like medication is potentially dangerous and not recommended. I would recommend a lower dose to be continued, still.

If you don't want to re start tramadol then Bupropion or suboxone and gabapentin or pregabalin as mentioned earlier are options that can help you in this phase.
Please consult your doctor before altering any medication.

Thanks.

Dr. M.S. Khalil.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju