Tramadol and Alcohol: Can You Drink on Tramadol?
As with all opiates, drinking on Tramadol will potentiate the effects. It will make you more sedate, which can cause a long list of problems. This is even more true of inexperienced drug users and drinkers, and of those who consume large amounts of either substance. It is very risky to drink alcohol on drugs like Tramadol, so this is something you should think twice about.
If you’re worried about a single social drink interacting with your prescribed dose of Tramadol then don’t be. If you have preexisting conditions then you should still consult your doctor, but if you are otherwise healthy, on a small dose of Tramadol and not planning to drink more than a couple units, then it should not cause any issues.
Tramadol Interactions
Tramadol may interact with other drugs and the list of potential interactions is quite considerable. If you take other drugs and are planning on taking Tramadol then you should consult with you doctor if possible. If not, the check to make sure that the drugs you take are not on the list of possible Tramadol drug interactions.
Such a list can be found on sites like Drugs.com as well as on the leaflets provided with the medication. To give you an idea of what drugs can interact, we have listed a few below. Just bear in mind that this is only a short sample of the list and is by no means a full list:
- Sedatives and Opiates: May cause additional CNS depression that can trigger breathing problems.
- SSRIs: A long list of potential interactions.
- St John’s Wort: Can alter the absorption of the drug.
- Passiflora: As above, it can change how the body absorbs Tramadol.
Tramadol vs Percocet
Looking for the strength comparisons between Tramadol and Percocet? Well, these are not always easy to judge. But we have heard that Tramadol is 18x weaker than oxycodone per milligram and oxycodone is the drug used in Percocet.
However, this info comes from recreational drug users and is not medical fact. So, it should only be used as a guideline. Always make sure you stay within safe limits of any drug that you take.
Tramadol vs Codeine
Again, we can only base strength comparisons on what we have heard from recreational users, but they report that Tramadol and codeine are like for like milligram wise. Some say that Tramadol 50mg equates to the same as codeine 30mg, but that doesn’t seem to be the case and we are more inclined to believe the people who say that Tramadol is a little stronger.
Tramadol and Codeine
Tramadol and codeine have similar effects on the body and are prescribed to cure similar levels of pain. This, and the fact that they can both suppress breathing, is why you should avoid taking these two drugs together. Sometimes codeine is used to help with Tramadol addiction and vice versa, however, this is not advised as one drug will just replace another. Codeine withdrawals are also as unpleasant and Tramadol withdrawals.
Tramadol and Meth or Cocaine
It can be very dangerous combining Tramadol with drugs like meth and cocaine. That’s because Tramadol is a depressive drug whereas meth and cocaine are stimulants. This mixture of high and low blood pressure, slow and fast heartbeats, can confuse the body and put you at serious risk of cardiac episodes.
Drugs like Tramadol are often used to get over the comedown of stimulants and to help with stimulant withdrawal (see Meth Withdrawal). Providing those drugs are not in your system anymore and the effects are no longer in full swing, then this may be okay. The fact that stimulant withdrawal and come-down is depressive as opposed to stimulating may also provide a better synergy with Tramadol.
However, you still need to exercise caution.
Tramadol and Xanax
Just like codeine, using Tramadol with Xanax can be dangerous. They both have a depressive effect on the body, they both can slow your breathing, increase the risk of seizure and make it very dangerous for you to handle machinery. So, be very cautious of using these two drugs together. If you look at the leaflets inside Tramadol and Xanax you will actually see warnings that advise against taking drugs like this together.
It’s not that you run a risk of instant death or coma (not with small doses anyway) and there are no issues to worry about in that regard. However, it can leave you in a deeply sedate state and if you are already susceptible to seizures and other such issues then it may worsen them.
Every year countless drug users die because they mix drugs like this with no regard for safety and without paying attention to the dosage. There are reports that something similar may have happened to Heath Ledger, albeit involving different drugs than Tramadol and Xanax.
Tramadol and Tylenol or Acetaminophen
Tramadol and acetaminophen works very well as a combination painkiller. The same applies to combinations like Tramadol and ibuprofen. It allows Tramadol to target bodily pain, aiding with breaks and strains, as well as other pain, while acetaminophen targets headaches, dental pain and more.
Toradol vs Tramadol
We have had a lot of questions along the lines of, “is Toradol related to Tramadol?” We’re not sure why, but it probably has something to do with the similar sounding names. However, these are two different drugs. Toradol is not a brand name for Tramadol and is actually a different kind of painkiller.
It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which puts it in the same class as ibuprofen. As far as Toradol vs Tramadol interactions, we can’t find any reports of contraindications and these don’t usually exist with drugs in classes similar to these two, but you should consult the leaflet or your doctor before you look to combine the two.
Tramadol vs Vicodin
Vicodin contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen, where Tramadol just contains an opioid. Both can be prescribed to treat moderate to moderately severe pain, but Vicodin may be more effective at treating things such as headaches and dental pain. That’s down to the acetaminophen content, because opioids typically can’t help with this kind of pain.
In terms of addiction potential, Vicodin is typically considered to be worse. Tramadol addiction is serious and far from a comfortable experience, but Vicodin contains a stronger opioid and there is much more potential for abuse.
If you are looking for a strength comparison between Tramadol and Vicodin, it’s not very easy to workout and there is no concrete rule. However, we have spoken to recreational users who say that, per milligram, Hydrocodone is 6 times stronger than Tramadol. However, you need to understand that this is not a guarantee and that you should always stay with safe, prescribed limits when taking a drug.
Also, it’s worth noting that Vicodin is not all Hydrocodone, so 1mg of this tablet does not equate to 1mg of Hydrocodone.
Tramadol and Ibuprofen
Tramadol may be combined with ibuprofen to create a very powerful painkiller. Opioids are great for killing pain and are prescribed for anything from mild to severe pain, depending on the individual drug being used. However, they are not effective at dealing with pain caused by inflammation, including dental pain and headaches. In fact, in some cases they may even worsen this pain as opiates are known to trigger headaches.
Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory, so it picks up where Tramadol leaves off. Both of these drugs have their own side effects though and there are concerns with regards to ibuprofen and the risk of stomach bleeding, so make sure you get advice from a doctor who understands you and your situation before combining these two.
Tramadol and Other Drugs
Tramadol can increase the sedative effects of other drugs, which is not advised for someone who is prescribed the drug and is trying to use it to help them through their everyday activities. Such interactions can make it dangerous for them to get behind the wheel of an automobile, for instance.
Recreational users are less concerned with such issues and often look for feelings like this. They tend to use benzos like Valium and other sedatives alongside Tramadol, although this is not advised due to the CNS depression it can cause. Drugs like Carisoprodol (Soma) are also commonly used to increase the effects of opioids. Again though, there are risks involved with this.
Can Tramadol be Given to Dogs?
Tramadol can be given to dogs, but they need to have a very specific dose based on their weight. This is often given orally every 8 to 12 hours, but you should leave this to your vet. Do not give them your Tramadol. Just take them to the vet, see what they prescribe and then give them the medication they give you.
Believe it or not, many drugs can be given to pets safely and are prescribed by vets. Dogs can take Benadryl, for instance, and they may also consume Pepto Bismol.
Can You Take Tramadol While Breastfeeding?
No! Tramadol can pass into the breast milk, which means it could then be consumed by the baby. If you are taking Tramadol and become pregnant, you should either avoid breastfeeding or talk to your doctor about an alternative.