Tramadol Controlled Substance?
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Is Tramadol considered to be a controlled medication? A narc med?

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Tramadol is Schedule IV. Morphine, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, etc are Schedule II.

Schedule IV can be called in. A doctor can give up to five refills on each prescription.

Schedule II cannot be called in. A doctor cannot give refills on a prescription.

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I work in a pharmacy and Tramadol is not considered a narcotic but it is a controlled substance but it’s a C4 not a C2 pain med

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for those saying its not an opioid, from the Pharmacodynamics section on it: "Tramadol hydrochloride is a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic. Although its mode of action is not completely understood, from animal tests, at least two complementary mechanisms appear applicable: binding of parent and M1 metabolite to µ-opioid receptors and weak inhibition of reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin."

Having been given most painkillers, I will say its in a class by itself but know several who after taking for months did experience some level of withdrawal symptoms albeit nothing like stopping oxycodone or fentanyl. If it works for your pain it is one you can take for a longer period without getting a physical addiction but there will be some amount of physical & mental addiction if taken for long enuff periods....

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Re: NM Doc (# 16)

What's narcosis? detailed??????
Bunch of weird people none of this makes sense.
I've had back surgery on my lower back and still have pain. That's all. I take tramadol when I need it, maybe 3 times a week or less

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Re: jr (# 8)

Yes tramadol is a narcotic analgesic similar in effectiveness to Darvocet (propoxyphene + acetaminophen or Tylenol) or Tylenol #3 with codeine. While it typically does not cause the euphoria or “high” feelings induced by many other narcotic pain meds it still can create physical dependence like any drug in the narcotic analgesic family. Because it does not induce highs or euphoric feelings it is thought to cause less or no psychological addiction. That may be true for most but myself & everyone else I’ve known who spent more than a couple months using tramadol to treat chronic pain experienced significant withdrawal symptoms as described in original post. Certainly not as bad as OxyContin or Fentanyl but still physically addictive after long term use requiring a significant detox period.

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Re: Andy (# 5)

Yes!
It is an opioid medication and worst it has in it also a serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor like antidepressants (Effexor/Cymbalta). You could get two different rebound phenomena:
1- Opioid withdrawal
2-Antidepressant withdrawal with risk of suicidal ideas, chills, dizziness, vertigo, anxiety, malaise, muscle pain, fibromyalgia like sx.
The medication has to be taper down slowly and supervision is recommended.

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Re: Helen (# 36)

Hi Helen! I'm sorry if my reply to Shawn was interpreted as petty. I really didn't intend for it to be that way. I have a particular problem with people on the internet being misleading and less than truthful. Shawn projects himself as such a person. The 'petty' stuff was not intended to be mean but to illustrate my point that Shawn is not who he says he is. Unfortunately, there are people out there who read these articles and believe everything in them. People like Shawn, who are not who they say they are, can cause significant physical and psychological damage.
On another note, the classification of Tramadol as a controlled medication is different in every state. Some consider it controlled (10 states) Others do not (40 states and many countries). It's interesting that you say Tramadol is "Extremely addictive; I know from experience..". As stated in previous articles, Addiction to Tramadol is primarily mental, not physical. Some find it addictive, others do not. My research shows that Tramadol does not contain any ingredients that are physically addictive. Tramadol allows the chemical messengers norepinephrine and serotonin to block the transmission of pain to the brain. This makes Tramadol a synthetic pain reliever. It contains NO opiates at all. I am in the beginning stages of studying Tramadol and, hopefully, I'll gain a much better understanding of it's properties and actions. Thanks for reading this. - Jim M

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Yeah, you are correct, Maggie. With the problem being that docs are too wimpy to prescribe a therapeutic dose of Add XR. So now I am looking into "Nootropics." Ever heard of them and if so, any recommendations??? Thanx for your reply, by the way, Helen

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Re: Helen (# 34)

Hi Helen,
Tramadol works on serotonin actually. It also binds to the opiate receptors even though it is not an opiate. I thought it was garbage for my pain, and it gave me a horrible low blood sugar type shakey feeling. Adderall is the only thing that helped my depression, and that one is a dopamine stimulant.

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Really, Jim M, there is no need to be petty about Shawn's remarks. In fact, you are both wrong. Tramadol IS categorized as a controlled med now. Because it is extremely addictive; I know from experience...

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Re: shawn (# 17)

So Shawn, Where are you a Pharmacist? Maybe Mr. Rogers Neighborhood? Part of being in such a career makes proper grammar and spelling mandatory; all of which you are lacking in skills. Why would you impersonate a pharmacist? To get your personal point across? By the way, there is no proof that Tramadol is addictive. Each individual acts differently. Some show addictive symptoms, others do not. When it comes down to brass tacks, some people are addicted to Bonbons. Does that mean bonbons should become a controlled substance?

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Re: Charlotte Smith (# 1)

Hi Charlotte. My orthopedic surgeon prescribed Tramadol for me five years ago, & it turned out to be the FIRST anti-depressant that ever worked for me after a lifetime of clinical depression. I think it's because it is a Dopamine-type med. Unfortunately, it is very unreliable and easy to build up a tolerance to it. But I wish they would do something with it to make it a conventional anti-dep. Does anyone know any anti-dep. out there that works on Dopamine? Twist & Shout, Helen

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Re: Charlotte Smith (# 1)

I believe that tramadol addiction is controlled by the individual. In other words, it's in your head. When I first started taking tramadol for restless legs, the doctor told me it was a synthetic pain reliever and non addictive. I've been taking it for over ten years and it works well. I have had various issues where the medication was not taken. Prescriptions expired, doctor on vacation, etc. When that happens and I cant take it for a week or so at the most, I do not get withdrawal symptoms but the restless legs do return. I believe that the opiod description is not true Why would the FDA classify it as a synthetic medication and then change it to an opiod based medication aside from the obvious political reasons? It's interesting that some states say it's an opiod and others don't control it at all. In my state (Florida) the attorney general says it's in a level with hydrocodiene but in another state, you can get it as a maintenance medication without any problem. If it's truly in a hydrocodiene classification, why would this be the case?

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I had it called in for my DOG and I had to show my ID in order to pick it up. I am sure the vet told me that it is a controlled substance and ID is required.

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I do not have any withdrawal issues with Tramadol except the return of pain. I'm allergic to hydrocodone and throw it up! (Hydrocodone made my oldest daughter have a seizure and the you the younger daughter also throws it up.). I've had many, many injuries and broken bones throughout my life. While driving down the highway, I was broadsided and my vehicle rolled over. I had to have cervical spine surgery from herniated disks from the wreck. I was doing ok until the surgery was injured at work and now I'm back to only being only being able to use my thumb and fore finger on my left hand again. Along with all of this and many years of not feeling well, I've been diagnosed with autoimmune disorder, Temporal Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rhumaticica. Now, through further blood work, I have the diagnosis of an Igg deficiency. I'm still working through all of this because I need to keep insurance to keep paying for all my medical bills. Yet, now, it's difficult to get enough rest due to all the pain so life in general is a daily hell for me. The type of Igg deficiency I have causes lung infections and the glands at the sides of my face, my lower jaw area, under my chin and down my neck are swollen. This also includes the lymph nodes and the ones ones under my arms which are about the size of small eggs. Anyway, I cough, choke and strangle through most of the night. I have to prop myself up to breath. Can't tell you how sore I am after all these years of coughing. (And NO I DO NOT SMOKE!). So between the arm pain, arthritis, coughing, facial pain, and on and on and doctors are afraid to prescribe something like Tramadol even though the statistics quoted are really extremely low compared to the national numbers? My husband works for the Sheriff's department and believe me, there are much worse.

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Thank you!Finally someone that speaks with accurate information.

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I was told 8 years ago, by my Dr, that tramadol was fine to take for my arthritis pain. I wanted to get better relief than Ibuprofen offered but did not want narcotics. My Dr suggested tramadol and now, here I am.. physically dependent on this medication. When I attempt to just stop taking it..I go thru horrible side affects. Agitation, restless legs, central nervous system goes haywire, severe headaches, sneezing, every fiber of my body hurts, oh and lets not forget the flu like symptoms.
I discussed this with my Dr and she said I must not quit the tramadol cold turkey, and she can help me wean off. And then, Friday..I attempted to refill my Rx and was told I now have to call my Dr for refill because it has been listed as a controlled substance as of August 2014.

I truly believe my Dr was not aware that this drug would eventually be considered narcotic. History of public use and studies have now classified it as such. I want OFF this stuff now..but its impossible to just quit. The sickness is unbearable. I have read that many people have different variations of side affects from nearly zero to the most horrible. My body is one that is affected badly and I fear the withdrawals. I think I fear the addiction more though..so with my doctors help..I'm beginning the weaning off process, which can take weeks! So yes people..it is addictive. Once off this medicine, I won't ever take anything stronger than OTC again unless its life threatening or surgically necessary. It has run my life..and I want to be the only thing in control of my life. It won't be easy, I know. God help all of us who didn't know how the long term use would affect us. For many people, this medication has been a huge benefit for their pain and I understand that completely but please be aware it can change to "needing" it very quickly. I started out years ago taking only one 50mg a day..and now I have graduated to 4 to 6 per day. It happens before you realize it. Read and educate yourself about the thousands of people out there that have graduated to addiction, without intending to. That's what seals my decision to get help before its more out of control. Good luck to anyone who shares this knowledge of fact.

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I agree with you. I feel like a legal suit is in order!!

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I was givin tram four years ago it has givin me a new lease on life lam 65 I am afriend of bills I havent abused it I can continue to work and play why must we pay the bad guy wins

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I have scleroderma and use tramadol two tabs three times a day with Tylenol. I have gone through the withdraw two times it lasted one day with restless leg and brain zaps sort of a spasm in the leg. But nothing like being addicted to OxyContin for four months the withdraw is a horror that lasts a week. With out Prednisone and tramadol I will have a miserable life for the time scleroderma allows me. I only hope the FDA understands this

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