Tramadol classification?

Hi Sunny.

Tramadol is a synthetic narcotic. It's sometimes called narcotic-like or atypical opioid. It's classified as schedule 4. I just got a new Rx sent electronically, while I got a paper Rx for my Norco, which is schedule 3. Tramadol probably won't be a big deal with your new PM. You're not on an excessive dose. I like it because I don't seem to need more of it, unlike most opioids. Some people do report that they have addiction or withdrawal problems with tramadol. It's also in the group of meds, along with codeine, that are processed by a particular enzyme in the liver which is lacking in 6% of people, and therefore gives no relief to them.

Classification is more about abuse/addiction potential than how strong a drug is.

Thank you both for the information. Makes more sense to me now!! Very much appreciated.

I had to stop my Tramadol a couple of weeks ago, just for 6 days (then went right back on it), for some testing at Mayo Clinic. Wow. I am one of the "lucky" people that felt some withdrawl from it. Not a fun time, especially when I was going thru so much other stuff at the same time! I kept telling my Mom that I could never be a drug addict (not that I'd ever want to be one) because even the withdrawl from the Tramadol was more than I could handle!! The only good thing was that prior to stopping it, I was having some doubts about whether it really helped much, but after 6 long days without it, I concluded that it definitely does help with my pain!

Anyway, thanks again for the info. Eases my mind to know what I can expect!

tidalmouse, If the reclassification of hydrocodone combination meds from Schedule III to Schedule II kicks in before you get all of those refiils, you won't be able to get them. The max number of refills on meds is 5 months. Schedule II meds cannot be refilled or called in and you must see your dr at least once every 90 days.


Sunny13l, the link below should help.

Federal Register-Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Tramadol Into Schedule IV-
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-02/pdf/2014-15548.pdf

AngMichelle, reports that have come out in recent yrs state that the number of Medicaid Receipents who abuse and divert certain meds is vey high. So Washington has put a lot of pressure on states to tighten the control on certain meds as well as the drs who write them. The states can keep track of the rxs Medicaid Receipents get filled by using their Medicaid Prescription DateBase and also the PMP for that state. So even if someone on Medicaid goes to a private dr and gets a rx for certain meds, the state Medicaid will know about it.

My Mom, who helps me with med management (I am on about 20 meds, some multiple times a day), called the pharmacy yesterday to ask about the Tramadol changes. She was told that with the change to being considered a controlled substance, my pain doc would still be able to phone in a prescription/refill of Tramadol, but that they wouldn't be able to fax or e-scribe the prescription anymore. Does that make sense? I thought it seemed a little strange, but then again, I don't know a whole lot about med laws, etc. I do see my pain doc on Thursday for RFA (lower back, left side this time), so I will also ask him about it. I just do not want any mix-ups when I need to get a refill of Tramadol that would possibly mean going without it for a few days while things get straightened out.

Thanks again for all the help.

Alcie--Thanks for the info. Just wanted to make sure it's all good! Looking forward to meeting my new primary care doc in a couple hours, and then RFA tomorrow (left side then, right side will have to wait a couple weeks)! I had it done about a year ago, and wow, it sure helped for quite some time. Then my pain doc agreed we should repeat it (a few months ago), but I screwed up and didn't keep on the clinic about doing the insurance approval crap. Ended up taking them over a month before they did it. Then scheduling, a few weeks out. My back sure will not let me make that mistake again. Sucks that the clinic staff cannot be counted on to automatically do what they say they will do. Now I'm rambling. Hope the new pain doc next week (referred to him for my neck) is good and will take on the RFA/back stuff. If not, I'll have to go back to the pain doc I have currently to take care of the back and neck. Like the doc, but his staff=incompetent. Ok, done rambling. Thanks again.


Don't know if anyone else has had this problem or knows someone who did, but....I had to go off my Tramadol ER, 300mgs, for 6 days during testing at Mayo clinic a few weeks ago, and really had some nasty withdrawal. My pain doc had said that most people on Tramadol don't have any withdrawal problems, as the med is not that strong. But, I was having chills, sweating like crazy, nausea, irritability, GI problems, couldn't sleep. I'm guessing part of it could have been the stress/anxiety just from going thru the testing at Mayo, but it was much more than that. Not fun. Anyone dealt with that with Tramadol before? Pain was so much worse, and made me realize that yes, it is helping, and no, I don't ever want to take stronger pain meds again (if it can at all be avoided). (I was on low dose of oxycontin for about 10 years, now just Tramadol).

Thanks for listening to my ramblings everyone. It's like I think I'm gonna make it short and then my mind just keeps going. Feedback always appreciated. Have a good day, find a reason to smile.

Withdrawal probably has something to do with dose. I don't get withdrawal, except pain comes back, but I'm on half your dose - all my doc wants to give me.

What I like about tramadol is that part of the pain relief is from raising serotonin - happy juice. Pain is more tolerable when you aren't miserable. My DIL knows to ask me if I need my pill when I get grumpy.

I note that pain relief isn't nearly as good (satisfactory) on Norco which I've been getting for shingles, alternating it with my 3 a day IR tramadol, which last about 4 hours, No smiling. I'm not unhappy to have to be lowering my Norco intake in preparation for next Rx being fewer. Shingles pain is less after the epidural. Next Rx is 2 a day, but I hope to not even need that. Spine shots are best, when they work, although I like being tramadol happy.