Is Tramadol an NSAID?
Is Tramadol an NSAID?
Generally, people think Tramadol is NSAID (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory drug) but actually it is not. NSAIDs are a class of pain relievers but they are completely different from Tramadol. Tramadol is prescribed because it is highly potent and has better safety profile compared to other medications. Most of the medical practitioners prescribe Tramadol as alternative to NSAIDs in few patient groups.
Mild doses of Tramadol is effective in managing moderate to severe pain but is a misunderstood drug and subjected to abuse in many of the cases. Tramadol can lead to abuse and addiction with longer period of usage and few groups of people take the drug recreationally.
Tramadol is an ideal drug for patients who suffer from severe pain and it is almost always effective. Patients with medical conditions like arthritis require relief from the chronic pain. Doctor would be prescribing Tramadol rather than NSAIDs in such cases as the later cannot be used for longer period.
What is Tramadol exactly?
Tramadol is a narcotic like pain killer and is an opioid pain medication. It works in the body by altering the body response to the pain. It can help to reduce the pain level to an extent that the patient can resume the daily activities quickly without experiencing further pain. It is formulated as an immediate release oral tablet, when taken orally, the onset of pain relief occurs within an hour and has two mechanism of actions. The tablet should not be crushed and this medicine needs to be taken orally. If taken in powdered form or as inhalation, it may lead to life-threatening side effects, overdose or even death. Tramadol is formulated as an immediate release oral tablet, when taken orally, the onset of pain relief occurs within an hour and has two mechanism of actions. By binding to the μ-opioid receptors which are a class of receptors which have high affinity for beta-endorphins and by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. The mechanism of action is completely different from that of NSAIDs.
Can Tramadol be used as an alternative to NSAIDs?
In most of the cases, patients prefer Tramadol as an alternative to NSAIDs. NSAIDs are generally used by patients suffering from arthritis. The drugs should be used for longer periods as it effectively controls pain and inflammation on a continuous basis. However, on a long term usage, NSAIDs can lead to stroke or other cardiac problems. The best alternative in such case is Tramadol, the drug can be used for a longer time without any major issues. The medical practitioner usually switches the patients to any other kind of medication in case Tramadol tolerance develops.
Using Tramadol as alternative to NSAIDs should be done only under the guidance of a medical practitioner. Pain management is major task for some health conditions so as to improve the quality of a patient’s life. The patient under medication should ensure that the treatment is done right without increasing the risk of harmful reactions or side effects. Tramadol is not a NSAID but it can be used as an effective alternative for the same pain relief.