July 16, 2006 - 12:49am
I joined this forum to ID a generic made by Qualitest / Vintage. I'm disgusted by how many people seem to think every oblong, white tab with a V on it is hydrocodone. Look, even if it's an M it doesn't mean it's vicoden people. These are manufacturers marks to ID who made it. As well as those posting about a "narcotic" called tramadol. This just goes to show the problem with the prescription addiction problem in the world today.
Sorry, had to vent this, as I was appauled by the ignorance.
July 16, 2006 - 9:43am
#2
Tramadol
Quote:
I'm disgusted by how many people seem to think every oblong, white tab with a V on it is hydrocodone. Look, even if it's an M it doesn't mean it's vicoden people. These are manufacturers marks to ID who made it. As well as those posting about a "narcotic" called tramadol.
You don't have to read this because it will be long, but even some of the the best sources consider Ultram (tramadol) a narcotic. We, as others, are using the term 'narcotic' loosely so most people will understand. Tramadol is technically an opioid, but it's easier to comprehend the word 'narcotic' than 'opioid' analgesic.
We'll start with excerpts of the easiest info and definitions first (emphasis added by me):
Consumer Info by Cerner Multum, Inc. - Drugs.com
What is tramadol?
• Tramadol is a narcotic pain reliever.
• Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Tramadol extended-release is used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain when treatment is needed around the clock.
• Tramadol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Definition of Narcotic - Wikipedia
A narcotic is an addictive drug that reduces pain, induces sleep and may alter mood or behavior. The word is derived from the Greek word narkotikos, meaning "benumbing or deadening," and originally referred to a variety of substances that induce sleep (such state is narcosis).
In the U.S. legal context, narcotic refers to opium, opium derivatives, and their semisynthetic or fully synthetic substitutes as well as cocaine and coca leaves, which, although classified as "narcotics" in the U.S. Controlled Substances Act (CSA), are chemically not narcotics.
Because the term is often used broadly, inaccurately or pejoratively outside medical contexts, most medical professionals prefer the more precise term opioid, which refers to all natural, semi-synthetic and synthetic substances that behave pharmacologically like morphine, the primary constituent of natural opium.
So at this point we can conclude that Ultram (tramadol) is an opioid; many of us say "narcotic" for simplicity and ease in spelling - not out of ignorance.
Ultram Prescribing Info - Ortho-McNeil
Pharmacodynamics
ULTRAM® 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 re-uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. Opioid activity is due to both low affinity binding of the parent compound and higher affinity binding of the O-demethylated metabolite M1 to μ-opioid receptors. In animal models, M1 is up to 6 times more potent than tramadol in producing analgesia and 200 times more potent in μ-opioid binding.
Definition of Opioid - Wikipedia
An opioid is any agent that binds to opioid receptors, found principally in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. There are four broad classes of opioids: endogenous opioid peptides, produced in the body; opium alkaloids, such as morphine (the prototypical opioid) and codeine; semi-synthetic opioids such as heroin and oxycodone; and fully synthetic opioids such as pethidine and methadone that have structures unrelated to the opium alkaloids.
Technical Info by Gold Standard, Inc. - Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA
Description: Tramadol is a centrally-acting analgesic with a unique, dual mechanism of action. Tramadol exists as a racemic mixture of the trans isomer. Important differences in binding, activity, and metabolism are associated with the two enantiomers. Tramadol is a synthetic analog of codeine; however, tramadol has a lower affinity for opioid receptors than codeine. Tramadol has less potential for abuse or respiratory depression than other opiate agonists, but both may occur.
Sorry my post is so long. But, in conclusion, tramadol is a weak opioid (or 'narcotic' in simple terms) according to the literature. So please don't be
Quote:
appauled by the ignorance.
I'm not a pharmacist or a medical doctor. This message is not medical advice nor is it an offer to provide medical advice. All drug identifications should be validated by a licensed MD or pharmacist.
July 16, 2006 - 2:50pm
#3
great post kirby. you
great post kirby. you mentioned everything i wanted to and more but i didnt b/c of this ancient asian disease i have...you know "drangonass":)
July 16, 2006 - 2:59pm
#4
It is an excellent post and
It is an excellent post and sums up what I know about tramadol. What is interesting is that the manufacturer and researchers do not know how exactly how tramadol works.
December 17, 2006 - 11:56pm
#5
Tramadol; its dangerous
I have personally withdrawn from every narcotic, and in my stages of desperateness, tramadol was "regretfully abused", and is definitely a narcotic(i.e. has potential to become addictive and or abused). Like posted by kirby Tramadol is a synthetic opiate analgesic, which like other analgesic's they have a vast fortune towards being addictive.
Abusers of tramadol beware;"in large doses of the drug or upon a sudden stoping in taking the drug can result in moderate-severe withdrawal symptoms and in many cases possibility's for seizures occours."
Bottom line Tramadol/Ultram is a narcotic, and that should end this forum topics objective.
P.S. Today I recieved my sobriety coin, for staying/suporting the same NA meeting aka my home group, it has been almost 23 months sober and am loving it. Hugs Not Drugs!!!!!!!
_____________________________________________________________
Not a DR once a X Benzo and Narcotic Addict
December 22, 2006 - 12:13pm
#6
Actually, on several types
Actually, on several types of drugs the researchers don't know EXACTLY how it works. Look at Aspirin... been around for thousands of years and they STILL don't know how it works... it's all a SWAG(Scientific Wild-A$$ guess).
Read here if you don't believe:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/asa_cp.htm
Note the use of the words appears, seems and mode of action not known.
December 22, 2006 - 12:32pm
#7
The same is true for MANY
The same is true for MANY antidepressants and some sleep meds.
December 22, 2006 - 1:21pm
#8
I was going to say many, but
I was going to say many, but last time I did ... so I figured it be safer to understate... LOL
actually, as incognito had mentioned before, if one goes under the assumption that tramadol is habbit forming, which pretty much any patient using it i have talked to says that it is (habbit forming) then it is a narcotic by definition/meaning. did you mean a controlled substance? and i am pretty sure that even a couple of states have made it a controlled substance. but at any rate saying that it isnt a narcotic, at least in my opinion, is wrong. but not really a big deal, no worries.
as for the notion that all pills w/ a v are valium or vicodin, and anything w/ a m is morphine then you are correct that alot of people usually make that mistake. but then again not everyone is into hunting pills for 3 or 4 hours a day, like some of us, lol:)