Toothache can be very painful and disturbing. It may often need effective pain management solutions to provide relief. Among all the various medications available in the market, Tramadol has come out as a common option for managing moderate level to severe level dental pain. If you are thinking about what Tramadol 50 is generally used for and whether it is good for you or not,this guide will provide you with all the essential information about this medicine – its dosing and side-effects.
What is Tramadol 50mg?
It is a synthetic opioid analgesic medicine which belongs to a class of drugs which is generally known as central acting pain reliever. Tramadol HCl 50 mg tablet is the most common medicine designed to treat moderate to severe pain conditions and also Tramadol for Toothache.
It works by
- Activating the opioid receptors
- It inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
- It reduces the body pain perception and improves tolerance
What is Tramadol 50mg Used For?
Tramadol 50mg tablets are generally used for:
- Post operative dental pain like after root canal , extraction or dental surgery.
- Musculoskeletal pain like fractures
- Neuropathic pain relief
- Pain that is unresponsive to non opioid painkillers
- For pain like toothache, doctors do not give Tramadol as a first choice medication. Dentists prescribe this medicine only in severe cases where other non opioid medicines fail .
Tramadol Dosing
The required dosage for Tramadol should be generally tailored by a healthcare professional.Basic guidelines for an adult individual are:
- Dosage: 50 mg after every 4-6 hours. As recommended by a doctor.
- Max Single dosage: 100 mg
- Max daily dosage: 400 mg
- Elderly patients: max daily dose around 300 mg
Tramadol Dosing for Toothache
For dental pain or toothache, a dentist may prescribe Tramadol 50mg for Toothache for 2-3 times a day ,but only for a few days. Long term use is not considered a good option due to dependency risks.
Side Effects of Tramadol
If you are someone suffering from toothache and are considering Tramadol 50 mg then you must understand its risks
Common side effects are-
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Dizziness, drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
Serious side effects include
- Respiratory depression
- Risk of seizure due to high doses
- Mood swings, hallucination
- Serotonin syndrome
- Dependency
- Misuse and addiction
Tramadol vs Other Medicines for Toothache
Toothache is generally a cause due to infection, cavities, gum disease or any injury. Painkillers can only subside the pain for some time but cannot cure its root cause. Let’s compare Tramadol vs other medicines for toothache
Ibuprofen– reduces pain and inflammation. It’s a safer alternative . It is a first line medicine option for toothache by dentists.
Acetaminophen – it is a pain reliever without any anti-inflammatory uses. It is also considered a safer alternative to ibuprofen.
Antibiotics: pain due to infection such as abscess or bacterial infection, antibiotics are generally prescribed to treat it
Tramadol 50 mg – used only when the pain is severe and unrelieved by above options. It has a risk for dependency and addiction. Dentists prescribe it only as a last resort.
Safer Medicine for Toothache
Instead of Tramadol most of the dentist often recommend medicines like-
Ibuprofen : 200-400 mg after every 6-8 hours. It reduces pain as well as inflammation.
Acetaminophen: 500-1000 mg after every 6 hours. It is effective for controlling pain especially if you can’t use NSAIDs.
Combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen : it is generally considered a good option and proven to be more effective than any other opioid in many dental pain studies.
Antibiotics: like Amoxicillin and clindamycin can treat toothache caused due to bacterial infection.
Why Should Tramadol be The Last Line for Toothache ?
Toothaches that are especially caused due to infection or decay are treatable. Masking pain with opioid medications delays the treatment.
Over prescription risks : Tramadol is addictive. It may lead to misuse.
Dental solutions: filling ,root canals or extractions can fix the root cause of toothache.
Thus ,use Tramadol as an emergency pain reliever and should not be a substitute for proper dental care.
Tramadol Safety Precautions
- The individuals prescribed transfer must follow some precautions:
- Do not mix it with alcohol, sedatives or any antidepressants.
- Avoid driving and operating machines
- Inform your doctor of seizures history, liver or kidney problems or any other medication interactions.
- Use for as short duration as possible preferable for not more than 5 days or a week.
Dependency and Withdrawal
Though Tramadol has a lower risk of dependency as compared to other opioids, prolonged use can still lead to physical dependency. It is not recommended to stop using this medicine in an abrupt way after extended use and without medical supervision.
When to Seek Professional Dental Care?
Tramadol can provide effective relief but as a temporary cure for toothache. It’s very essential to address the root cause . Several toothache indicates serious dental problems that need professional care and treatment.
Seek immediate dental care if you experience pain persisting for more than 2 days. Suffer from facial swelling or fever , dental abscess and severe sensitivity to hot and cold .
Conclusion
Tramadol can be very useful in managing severe to moderate levels of toothache or dental pain when all the other medications fail,but it is not a first line choice for toothache. It can provide relief for the short term but carries a risk of severe side-effects and addiction. There are safer and more effective toothache medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. These medications can only cure pain for a short term but in the end you need to visit a dentist to cure your pain and the root cause for it.Tramadol should be the last option as a temporary measure under professional medical supervision. It is a controlled substance and taken only if prescribed by a doctor.
