Can I take two 50mg Tramadol? (5+ consequences of overdose)
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “Can I take two 50mg Tramadol?”. Tramadol is an opioid analgesic which contains only a small concentration of opioids and it does not possess strong addictive properties.
However, it may cause addiction when used improperly. This blog will cover the dangers associated with consuming two 50 mg doses. We will also talk about the proper use of this analgesic which is essential for the safe and effective therapeutic outcome.
Can I take two 50mg Tramadol?
No, you should not take two 50 mg Tramadol without your doctor’s approval. If your doctor has prescribed you a 50 mg dose, doubling it up may cause some unwanted side effects. These side effects can vary from person to person.
Some people may not feel a big difference as 50 mg is not such a high dose, but some people are naturally sensitive to medications. Tramadol is an opioid analgesic.
It is preferred over stronger members of its family because it is mild in nature and way less potent than Morphine, which is only prescribed in case of unbearable pain. Because of its mild nature, Tramadol has less addictive properties.
Make sure you only take Tramadol if your healthcare provider has prescribed it. The prescribed dose is your best option because if you had needed more, your doctor would have prescribed you a higher dose.
Some people believe that taking more medication than their usual dose can make them feel even better and would relieve double the pain. However, that’s not the case. More activity of the drug comes with more side effects and not every human being can bear these side effects.
So, if your doctor has advised you to take a 50 mg dose, stick to it. If it’s not sufficient enough to provide a good amount of pain relief, then simply consult your healthcare provider. Your doctor will increase the dose himself, if possible.
What are the consequences of doubling your Tramadol dose?
If you double up your dose yourself, you will be subjected to the following consequences:
- Psychological side effects
- Complications related to the respiratory system
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
- Muscular problems
- Cardiovascular risks
Psychological side effects
Psychological side effects are common when you have overdosed on your Tramadol. As we have discussed, Tramadol is an opioid analgesic and it can act on the opioid receptors in your brain.
The general mechanism of action of Tramadol includes the inhibition of the reuptake of two excitatory monoamine neurotransmitters; norepinephrine and serotonin. It also blocks the transmission of pain signals in your brain which helps provide relief for a few hours.
When you take more than the prescribed dose, these effects are enhanced. More amount of serotonin and norepinephrine is present in your system to bind to their respective receptors. This can give rise to a number of psychological complications. Some of these include:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Tremors
- Unusual changes in mood
- Anxiousness
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Impairment of sensory and motor coordination
- Excessive hunger
- Blackouts
- Convulsions
- Coma
These psychological complications can vary from person to person. Some people suffer so drastically that they can even be hospitalised.
Just like we all look different, have different shades of our hair and skin, have different body types, and have different facial features, similarly, every human being has a different physiological composition. Some have more liver enzymes, while others lack some basic ones.
Some are tough and can bear powerful medications, whereas others may suffer from side effects even after taking the safest medication in the entire world. This is why it is absolutely impossible to predict how your body will react once it is exposed to two 50 mg doses of Tramadol.
Your body may bear it and you may not suffer from any prominent side effects or you may experience drastic side effects. This is why you should leave such matters to your doctor.
You can not determine the best possible dose unless you’re a licensed healthcare professional yourself. This is why don’t ever take these matters into your hands. Talk to your healthcare provider about the dose if you think you need more of it.
Don’t start or stop any medication without your doctor’s approval. If you have been taking Tramadol for quite a while, your doctor may advise you to taper it off instead of stopping it altogether.
Complications related to the respiratory system
Tramadol is associated with respiratory side effects, which is why it is not prescribed to people who are living with an already compromised respiratory system. Some of the common respiratory side effects include:
- Tightness of chest
- Inability to breathe
- Wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Choking
These conditions can take a life-threatening turn for some people. This is why you should never double the dose without your doctor’s approval.
A single dose may cause some kind of mild respiratory side effect that you may not be able to feel, but if you double the dose on your own that side effect can also become much more intense. Some people may not breathe properly which can make your entire body oxygen deficient.
The most affected organ in this case is your brain. If it does not get enough oxygen then the organ simply starts to malfunction. You may pass out or lose consciousness. Ensuring the proper use of Tramadol is the main key to achieving your desired therapeutic goals.
First and the most important thing is to make sure that you are not allergic to Tramadol. If you exhibit any sign of an allergic reaction or any unusual side effect right after taking your first ever Tramadol dose, then Tramadol is not a good choice of medication for you.
To prevent that from happening, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about the excipients present in the formulation to make sure it does not contain anything that you know you’re allergic to. An allergic reaction can double the respiratory side effects.
Gastrointestinal disturbances
Gastrointestinal side effects are also common with normal doses of Tramadol then you can imagine what double the dose would do. Some common gastrointestinal complications associated with an overdose of Tramadol include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Flatulence
- Bloating
- Swelling or tenderness in the stomach
- Abdominal pain
- Inability to eat food
- Indigestion
- Acid reflux or heartburn
- Constipation
These side effects can vary from person to person and depend on the amount of overdose. Make sure you take your Tramadol as properly as you can. All medications are capable of damaging your health even more. It’s the dose that separates the benefits and risks of the drug.
This is why you should always stick to your doctor’s recommended dose. It is also extremely important to inform your doctor about all the meds you have been taking before you take Tramadol. Medications don’t always go well together.
Some meds are highly incompatible with one another. Some meds are incompatible in terms of the side effects as they all cause the same kind of side effects that may become too much for you to bear.
Muscular problems
Overdosing on your Tramadol can give rise to a number of muscular problems. Some of these include:
- Muscular pain
- Twitching
- Abnormal and involuntary muscle contraction
- Muscle tightness
- Swelling
- Painful contractions
- Inability to relax muscles properly
These side effects can be quite disturbing because of the pain they cause your muscles are making your every movement possible, even digestion. This is why you should not take a higher dose.
If you think that your current dose is not sufficient for you or it is not delivering your desired pain relief, consult your doctor. Your healthcare provider will increase the dose or frequency of your dose administration if he believes it’s the right thing to do.
Cardiovascular risks
Cardiovascular risks are common with Tramadol overdose. As we have discussed, Tramadol can increase the amount of serotonin and norepinephrine in your body. This excessive activity of neurotransmitters may make your heart beat harder and faster.
It can also cause arrhythmia and heart palpitations. This can become quite dangerous, especially for people who are already suffering from cardiac disease.
Make sure you stick to your doctor’s recommended dose. If you have a heart condition, make sure you give proper information about your disease when you’re visiting your healthcare provider.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have discussed the risks of taking two 50 mg Tramadol doses. You should never do such a thing without your doctor’s approval. If your doctor has prescribed you a 50 mg dose, doubling it up may cause some unwanted side effects.
These side effects can vary from person to person. Some people may not feel a big difference as 50 mg is not such a high dose, but some people are naturally sensitive to medications.
Make sure you stick to your doctor’s recommended dose if you wish to achieve a safe and effective therapeutic response.
FAQs: can I take 2 50mg tramadol
Is tramadol 50 mg a good painkiller?
Tramadol shows a good pain relief effect on a 50 mg dose. It is considered a safer painkiller because it is not so potent and it does not possess a high risk of addiction. Tramadol is an opioid analgesic. The general mechanism of action of Tramadol includes the inhibition of the reuptake of two excitatory monoamine neurotransmitters; norepinephrine and serotonin. It also blocks the transmission of pain signals in your brain which helps provide relief for a few hours.
How long does it take for tramadol 50 mg to start working?
Tramadol typically starts to work within 30 to 60 minutes and it actively inhibits the perception of pain. Tramadol is an opioid analgesic. It is preferred over stronger members of its family because it is mild in nature and way less potent than Morphine, which is only prescribed in case of unbearable pain.
Because of its mild nature, Tramadol has less addictive properties. Make sure you only take Tramadol if your healthcare provider has prescribed it. The prescribed dose is your best option because if you had needed more, your doctor would have prescribed you a higher dose.
How many times a day can you take 50mg of tramadol?
You can take 50 mg Tramadol 3 to 4 times a day, at different time intervals. However, you should stick to your doctor’s recommended dose and frequency. Tramadol is an opioid analgesic. It is preferred over stronger members of its family because it is mild in nature and way less potent than Morphine, which is only prescribed in case of unbearable pain. Because of its mild nature, Tramadol has less addictive properties.
How many 50mg tramadol can I take at once?
You should take one 50 mg Tramadol at one time. If you have severe pain, your doctor will probably ask you to take 5o mg doses 4 times a day, which makes a total of 200 mg per day. However, you should stick with your prescribed dose. Make sure you don’t take any more than the recommended dose without your doctor’s approval.
Can I take two 50mg Tramadol?
No, you should not take two 50 mg Tramadol without your doctor’s approval. If your doctor has prescribed you a 50 mg dose, doubling it up may cause some unwanted side effects. These side effects can vary from person to person. Some people may not feel a big difference as 50 mg is not such a high dose, but some people are naturally sensitive to medications.
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References
1.-
NHS guidelines – How and when to take tramadol https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tramadol/how-and-when-to-take-tramadol/
2.-
National Library of Medicine – Tramadol https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695011.html
