Tramadol Overdose | Symptoms & Treatment

Manish Mishra, MBBS

Medically Reviewed By: Manish Mishra, MBBS

on February 21, 2023

A tramadol overdose can cause life-threatening symptoms such as respiratory depression. Treating any opioid overdose may include administering naloxone and accessing long-term addiction treatment.

Symptoms of a tramadol overdose may include trouble breathing, a loss of consciousness, clammy skin, and gurgling noises. A tramadol overdose can be treated with naloxone, a nasal spray that can reverse the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose.

Tramadol is an opioid analgesic (painkiller) that can treat forms of severe pain and chronic pain. Brand name prescription drugs for tramadol include Ultram and Conzip. 

Overdosing on tramadol can occur when taking higher doses of the drug than you were prescribed, taking tramadol without a prescription, or mixing it with other drugs or alcohol.

This kind of tramadol abuse increases your risk of overdose in the long term. Opioid addiction treatment centers in Ohio can provide treatment services to reduce patterns of high-risk opioid use.

Symptoms Of A Tramadol Overdose

A tramadol overdose can have visible or tangible signs that you can detect in others. Symptoms of a tramadol overdose may include:

  • extreme drowsiness
  • respiratory depression (trouble breathing)
  • hypotension (low blood pressure)
  • weak pulse or slowed heart rate
  • loss of consciousness
  • blue lips or fingernails
  • clammy skin
  • gurgling noises, especially while unconscious

These symptoms can occur several hours after tramadol ingestion, due to the effects of tramadol on your central nervous system (CNS).

Risk Factors For A Tramadol Overdose

Some people may have a higher risk of overdose when taking tramadol, including if you or a loved one:

  • take medication such as antidepressants
  • have liver or kidney problems
  • have a history of substance abuse, including snorting, plugging, or injecting drugs

If you have any of these issues, you may wish to inform your healthcare provider about your medical history.

Treatment Options For A Tramadol Overdose

Narcan, a nasal spray that contains naloxone, can be given by first responders to tramadol overdose victims. Naloxone can work by binding to the same opioid receptors as tramadol, restoring breathing and preventing life-threatening side effects.

Naloxone distribution programs such as Project DAWN may offer naloxone to loved ones and family members of people who abuse opioids.

Long-Term Treatment Programs

Improper tramadol use can lead to a tramadol overdose, as well as other long-term health effects. If you or a loved one take tramadol in an unapproved manner, you may be suffering from an opioid addiction, also known as a substance use disorder.

Treating a substance use disorder may require dedicated treatment from a professional addiction treatment center. Your medical needs may be assessed and integrated into a personalized treatment program.

To find out if our inpatient tramadol addiction treatment options, such as opioid detox, management of withdrawal symptoms, and mental health services, will work for you or your loved one, please contact Ohio Recovery Center today.

  1. Food and Drug Administration — Tramadol hydrochloride extended-release capsules https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/022370s000lbl.pdf
  2. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus — Tramadol https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695011.html
  3. National Library of Medicine: StatPearls — Tramadol https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537060/

Written by Ohio Recovery Center Editorial Team

© 2024 Ohio Recovery Center | All Rights Reserved

* This page does not provide medical advice.

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