1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Alcohol Consumption

naltrexone and tramadol PLEASE HELP

Posted , 8 users are following.

brittany_40312
brittany_40312

I'm looking for some advice. My friend just texted me that her brother is in the hospital tonight. A few weeks ago she asked me what I was taking for my alcohol dependence and I told her naltrexone. Come to find out, her brother is taking naltrexone and tramadol. Isn't that an opioid?? I told her he shouldn't be taking tramadol with the naltrexone!

I told her I would post on this forum to see if anyone has had experience and/or knowledge.

I appreciate any feedback

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • ADEfree
    ADEfree brittany_40312

    Posted

    I'm not a medical professional of any sort, but it's my understanding that those two drugs shouldn't be used together, it can result in withdrawal. His doctor should be alterted to this ASAP. 

  • Joanna-SMUKLtd
    Joanna-SMUKLtd brittany_40312

    Posted

    Tramadol is an opiate-based painkiller and naltrexone is an opiate-antagonist medication.

    What this means is that if a patient has naltrexone in their system, then the tramadol will be blocked by the naltrexone and not work as intended as a painkiller.  A patient may then think it ok to take more tramadol to kill their pain and end up being well over the prescribed dose of tramadol and harm themselves.

    If the patient already has tramadol in their system, and takes naltrexone, then the naltrexone will push away the opiate already occupying the opiate receptors in the brain and cause what is effectively an opiate withdrawal situation.  This would happen very suddenly - as soon as the naltrexone becomes effective, less than an hour after taking it.  An opioid-antagonist medication of the same family which is effective within seconds of entering the body, called naloxone, is actually used to save peoples lives when they have overdosed on opiates, so you can see how quickly these opiate antagonist medications work.

    The two should not be taken together.

    • brittany_40312
      brittany_40312 Joanna-SMUKLtd

      Posted

      Thank you! that's what I thought, but I knew you'd be able to explain it where I could relay the information. I've sent your response to my friend and told her to keep me updated. I hope he will be alright

      Thanks again!

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.