Gabapentin and Tramadol
Gabapentin and Tramadol are both central nervous system depressants that if taken together can cause dangerous side effects. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant prescription medication used to treat conditions of seizures and epilepsy. Its primary use is to help in the treatment of neuropathic pain caused by nerve damage or a malfunctioning nervous system. Tramadol is an opioid analgesic prescription painkiller used to treat conditions of post-surgical pain, chronic pain and pain associated with osteoarthritis. One of the major risks of taking the two medications together is the development of addictive properties on the central nervous system.
Tramadol is a lesser-strength opioid with risks of dependence and addiction. When taken as prescribed by a healthcare professional, tramadol can be very effective in treating conditions of moderate to severe pain. However, when misused or used recreationally, it can lead to depressive effects that cause an addiction to the drug.
Gabapentin is now a drug that is frequently misused alongside opioid medications such as tramadol. This is because users who abuse both do so in an attempt to enhance the euphoric effects of the opioid.
More on Gabapentin
Gabapentin is a prescription medication often used to help with conditions of postherpetic neuralgia, complications from shingles, diabetic neuropathy, and many types of nerve pain. It is also prescribed often for off-label uses such as aiding in the treatment of anxiety disorder, insomnia and mood disorders. Brand names for gabapentin include Neurontin and Gralise.
How does gabapentin work? Scientists believe the mechanisms behind the drug works by impacting the way the brain senses pain. It alters the levels of certain neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers that nerves use to communicate with one another. Gabapentin slows down the activity of these chemical massagers such as GABA, which in turn slows down brain activity producing a sense of calm and sedation. At high doses, gabapentin can produce feelings of euphoria in addition to calm and sedation.
Common side effects of gabapentin include sleepiness, loss of control of body movements, fatigue, jerky movements, double vision, tremors, memory loss, weight gain, joint pain, blurred vision, edema and slurred speech.
New research has found that in addition to treating neuropathic pain and nerve conditions, gabapentin has the potential to treat drug and alcohol dependence. Findings have shown that the drug can be effective in helping to manage alcohol withdrawal and drug cravings.
More on Tramadol
Tramadol is a low-potency opioid with a dual mechanism for pain relief. It works by binding with opioid receptors in the brain, which impact pain reception. It also affects the reuptake of neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and serotonin. It is similar to an SSRI antidepressant. Both of these work to further reduce the sensation of pain in the body. Brand names of tramadol include Ultram and ConZip.
Tramadol is similar in structure to codeine and morphine. Although tramadol is a Schedule IV controlled substance, there is a lower potential for misuse and addiction compared to other opioids such as fentanyl or morphine. It only carries 1/10th the strength of morphine making it less prone to resulting in addiction.
Common side effects of tramadol include constipation, headache, euphoria, indigestions, spasticity and weakness.
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Why do people take Gabapentin and Tramadol?
In one study, research found gabapentin and opioid use increases the risk of dying from an opioid overdose by almost 49%. From 2019 to 2020, gabapentin was present in about 1 in 10 overdose death cases in the US. An estimated 90% of those cases also involved opioids such as tramadol. If the combination of gabapentin and tramadol is so dangerous, why are some people still using them both?
In some cases, both medications are prescribed together to effectively treat neuropathic pain or chronic pain. In cases of recreational use or abuse, users take the drugs together to amplify the euphoric effects of the opioid tramadol. It can also intensify the effects of gabapentin when taken with tramadol.
Both medications cause depressive symptoms in the central nervous system, which can have a greater risk of addiction. One of the major risks of taking these medications together is the risk of central nervous system depression. This is the slowing down of neural activity including cognitive and executive functions. Your breathing can slow down so much so, you can eventually stop breathing. A condition called respiratory depression.
Reparatory depression, or hypoventilation or respiratory suppression, is a condition in which the body decreases the rate and depth of breathing leading to inadequate exchanges of gases and resulting in reduced oxygen levels in the body. Symptoms of respiratory depression include shallow breathing, bluish coloring of lips and fingertips, dizziness, lightheadedness, sleep disturbances, difficulty staying awake, decreased responsiveness and chest pain or discomfort. In severe cases, the reduced oxygen levels in the lungs and other organs can lead to cardiac arrest.
Dangers of using Gabapentin and Tramadol together
- Increased risk of addiction
- Intensified side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness and impaired coronation
- Respiratory depression will slow down breathing and limit oxygen levels to the brain and heart
- Increased risk of overdose
- Extreme sedation and central nervous system depression and slow down cognitive functioning
- Increased risk of seizures
- Withdrawal side effects
- GI issues
- Serotonin syndrome
- General weakness and lethargy
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decreased energy levels
- Difficulty concentrating and performing cognitive functions
- Increased risk of coma
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Gabapentin and tramadol used together can cause serious side effects, especially respiratory depression. Respiratory depression is a dangerous condition in which a person can stop breathing leading to coma or death. Both are prescription medications that suppress the central nervous system. When mixing together two depressant drugs, it can lead to breathing suppression, dependence and addiction. Hotel California by the Sea is a behavioral health treatment program specializing in substance use disorders and polysubstance use disorders.
We offer treatment at all levels including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based methods such as CBT, DBT, family therapy and group therapy. Our program is designed to help clients understand the root cause of their addiction, learn their triggers, learn how to manage their triggers and set goals for sobriety. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients overcome their addiction through therapeutic and clinically proven treatment methods.
References:
https://recovered.org/blog/is-mixing-tramadol-and-gabapentin-dangerous
https://www.medicinenet.com/gabapentin_vs_tramadol/drug-vs.htm
https://consensus.app/questions/can-you-take-gabapentin-with-tramadol
https://www.avenuesrecovery.com/understanding-addiction/tramadol-addiction/gabapentin-and-tramadol
https://healthyliferecovery.com/gabapentin-and-tramadol
https://www.gallusdetox.com/blog/abapentin-tramadol-ultram/