How long after tramadol can you take Xanax? (3+ findings)
By
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii, PhD, is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drug Design and Development, Enzymes, Molecular Modelling, and Photodynamic Therapy. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii’s Highlights:
- Postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo, emphasizing therapy of neglected diseases using light.
- PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Six months as an international researcher at the Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases (University of California San Diego)
- Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences focusing on drug design and development at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of São Paulo.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes – São Paulo / Brazil
Professional Experience:
2012 – 2018 Project manager at University of São Paulo – Pharmacy Department
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii has worked with computational studies, synthesis, biological evaluation, design, and development of new inhibitor candidates for Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis.
2017 – 2017 International research fellow at University of California San Diego Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences – Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases.
She used Virtual Screening (VS) and High-Throughput Screening (HTS) Integration in the Discovery of new drugs against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
2018 – 2019 Faculdades Oswaldo Cruz
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy, teaching the subjects of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Drug Development.
2019 – 2021 Researcher in Biochemistry University of São Paulo – Biochemistry Department
She applied Photodynamic Therapy in Leishmaniasis Treatment, mentored undergraduate students in scientific activities, and wrote, executed, translated, and reported scientific projects with funding agencies.
2023-2023 UniPiaget – University Center.
Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii was a Biology, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, and Pharmacy professor.
Education:
2018 -2021 Postdoctoral at the Department of Biochemistry at the University of São Paulo
2013 -2018 PhD of Science: Drugs and Medicines at Department of Pharmacy at University of São Paulo
2012 -2013 M.Sc. of Sciences: Drugs and Medicines at the Department of Pharmacy at the University of São Paulo
2005-2008 Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Mogi das Cruzes
The leading publications of Dr Drielli Vital-Fujii are:
Vital-Fujii, D.G, Baptista, M.S. (2021). Progress in the photodynamic therapy treatment of Leishmaniasis. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 54, 1-11.
Gatti, F. M., Gomes, R.A., da Fonseca, A.L., Lima, E.J.C., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Taranto, A.G., Varotti, F.P., Trossini, G.H.G. (2020). Antiplasmodial activity of sulfonylhydrazones: in vitro and in silico approaches. Future medicinal chemistry, 13, 233-250.
Silva, E.J., Bezerra-Souza, A., Passero, L.F., Laurenti, M.D., Ferreira, G.M., Fujii, D.G.V., et al. (2018). Synthesis, leishmanicidal activity, structural descriptors and structure-activity relationship of quinoline derivatives. Future medicinal chemistry, 10, 2069-2085.
Leite, F.H.A., Froes, T.Q., da Silva, S.G., de Souza, E.I.M., Vital-Fuji,i D.G., Trossini, G.H.G., et al. (2017). An integrated approach towards the discovery of novel non-nucleoside Leishmania major pteridine reductase 1 inhibitors. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 132, 322-332.
Vital, D.G., Damasceno, F.S., Rapado, L.N., Silber, A.M., Vilella, F.S., Ferreira, R.S., et al. (2017). Application of bioisosterism in design of the semicarbazone derivatives as cruzain inhibitors: a theoretical and experimental study. Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 35, 1244–1259.
Mello, J. F.R., Gomes, R.A., Vital-Fujii, D.G., Ferreira, G.M., Trossini, G.H.G. (2017). Fragment-based drug discovery as alternative strategy to the drug development for neglected diseases. Chemical Biology & Drug Design, 90, 1067-1078.
Pantaleao, S.Q., Fujii, D.G.V., Maltarollo, V.G., da C. Silva, D., Trossini, G.H.G., Weber, K.C., et al. (2017). The Role of QSAR and Virtual Screening Studies in Type 2 Diabetes Drug Discovery. Medicinal Chemistry, 13, 706-720.
Vital, D., Arribas, M., Trossini, G. (2014). Molecular Modeling and Docking Application to Evaluate Cruzain Inhibitory Activity by Chalcones and Hydrazides. Letters in Drug Design and Discovery, 11, 249-255.
Blau, L., Menegon, R.F., Trossini, G.H.G., Molino, J.V.D., Vital, D.G., Cicarelli, R.M.B., et al. (2013). Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new aryl thiosemicarbazone as antichagasic candidates. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 67, 142-151.
You can view some of Dr Drielli’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9270-0466
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Drielli-Gomes-Vital-Fujii
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=55829534000
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=F9U50AEAAAAJ&hl=pt-BR
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/driellivital
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/6101380/drielli-gomes-vital
CDIPD: https://cdipd.org/index.php/about-us/visiting-scientists
In this article, we’ll go over topics like how long after taking tramadol can you take Xanax, the risks of taking both medications at the same time, what to do if you take both medications at the same time, and what are the alternatives to taking Tramadol and Xanax together.
How long after tramadol can you take Xanax?
You should never take Xanax and tramadol on the same day unless your physician has approved it, as these two medications have the potential to cause possibly fatal adverse effects due to their action on the CNS (Central Nervous System). (1)
Xanax is the brand name of the medication alprazolam. Alprazolam belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, which are used to treat panic and anxiety disorders. The most often given psychotropic (a drug that can alter your mental health) is Xanax.
Alprazolam is abused because it can lower inhibitions, lessen anxiety, and produce euphoric feelings, in addition to its FDA-approved therapeutic applications. (2)
Tramadol is an opioid painkiller and an SNRI (Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor) that is marketed under several brands, including Ultram. It is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain. (3)
As these two medications raise the risk of a potentially fatal overdose, they must be taken apart and should never be used together. In most situations, tramadol and Xanax shouldn’t be combined. (1)
What are the risks of taking tramadol and Xanax together?
The risk of a potentially fatal overdose rises when opioids such as tramadol are taken with CNS depressants, such as Xanax.
In approximately 14% of deaths resulted from opioids and benzodiazepines overdose. The combination of benzodiazepines and opioids can raise the risk of an overdose because both drug classes have the ability to impair cognitive functioning, induce sleepiness, and inhibit respiration, which is the cause of overdose deaths.
Studies indicate that those who co-use opioids and benzodiazepines have an increased likelihood of ER (emergency) visits, hospital admissions for drug-related emergencies, and overdose deaths. (4)
What are the side effects of tramadol and Xanax combination?
The side effects of taking tramadol and Xanax combination include both common and life-threatening symptoms.
Common side effects
- Dizziness.
- Fatigue.
- Sweating.
- Irritability.
- Constipation.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea and vomiting. (2), (5)
Overdosing on tramadol and Xanax together can result in life-threatening side effects such as:
- Respiratory distress.
- Coma, Xanax can sometimes lower your blood pressure and cause a coma.
- Death.
Other side effects include:
- Trouble focusing.
- Impairment in response time, motor coordination, and judgment.
- Sleepiness.
- Dizziness. (2), (3)
Never use tramadol and Xanax combination without first consulting your physician. Please adhere to the dosage, frequency, and length of use that your physician has advised.
Until you are certain of how dangerous machinery may affect you, you should refrain from using or driving it.
What to do if you take tramadol and Xanax concurrently?
If you have taken tramadol and Xanax at the same time and you feel unusual, please reach out to your physician. The dose strengths and intervals between these 2 medications determine the side effects that result from this combination.
When tramadol and Xanax are taken together, the most noticeable negative effects such as overdose toxicity and respiratory distress can happen. You should consult your physician as soon as possible if you begin to experience any of the side effects we just covered. (4)
Tramadol and Xanax combination increases the risk of overdose toxicity. It is very likely that you will have toxicity and perhaps fatal symptoms if you continue to take them concurrently or with minimal intervals.
Make sure to consult your physician about taking tramadol and Xanax on the same day.
What are the alternatives to taking Tramadol and Xanax together?
The alternatives of taking Tramadol and Xanax together involve switching either Tramadol or Xanax or changing both medications if needed.
Before switching to a new medication, your physician might try lowering the dosages of both Tramadol and Xanax. If this helps, you can keep taking them separately from one another, but only if the side effects subside.
Safer substitutes for tramadol include medications with codeine (codeine-containing tablets) such as Solpadeine, Nurofen Plus, and co-codamol. (6)
Alternatives to Xanax include diazepam and clonazepam. Additionally, your physician might switch out an anxiolytic for an antidepressant, such as amitriptyline can also be used to treat anxiety disorders and is less likely to cause adverse effects when used with Tramadol than Xanax. (7)
Conclusion
Tramadol and Xanax together can cause potentially fatal side effects, such as respiratory distress and overdose toxicity. Based on my research and knowledge, it is not advisable to use these medications on the same day. If you inadvertently take this combination, get medical attention right away.
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References
1.-
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Benzodiazepines and Opioids [Internet]. National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2022. Available from: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids
2.-
Alprazolam: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. medlineplus.gov. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a684001.html#:~:text=Alprazolam%20is%20used%20to%20treat,abnormal%20excitement%20in%20the%20brain.
3.-
Tramadol: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. medlineplus.gov. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695011.html#:~:text=Tramadol%20is%20used%20to%20relieve,pain%20around%2Dthe%2Dclock.
4.-
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Benzodiazepines and Opioids [Internet]. National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2022. Available from: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/opioids/benzodiazepines-opioids
5.-
nhs. Side effects of tramadol [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2022. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tramadol/side-effects-of-tramadol/
6.-
Taking tramadol with other medicines and herbal supplements [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2022. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/tramadol/taking-tramadol-with-other-medicines-and-herbal-supplements/#:~:text=Some%20everyday%20painkillers%20that%20you
7.-
Zin CS, Ismail F. Co-prescription of opioids with benzodiazepine and other co-medications among opioid users: differential in opioid doses. Journal of Pain Research. 2017 Jan;Volume 10:249–57. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5279838/
