Drug Facts for Africans: Tramadol
Grace Chukwuekwu. B.MLS. Health Writer. Medically reviewed by Ruth Frank, B.Pharm. Freelance Health Writer.
November 25, 2025
Varieties of tramadol tablets in sachets seized by Food and Drugs Authority in Ghana
Drug name: Tramadol
Drug class: Opioids
Brand Names (commonly found across the African continent): Tramal, Mabron, Opatram, Contramal, Zamadol
Tramadol Dosage Forms
Tramadol comes in different forms, including:
Tramadol isn’t your everyday painkiller. Across Africa, the drug has become a big public health problem due to misuse, addiction, mixing with alcohol or energy drinks, with associated dangerous consequences.
That’s why awareness matters. When you know the risks and benefits of what they’re taking, lives can be saved. So here are real evidence based drug facts about Tramadol.
Tramadol is a pain medicine that belongs to a class of drugs called opioids or narcotics [1]. It is mainly used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain, such as pain after surgery or injury, and can also be prescribed for long-term pain management in non-cancer patients when other medicines are not effective and the risk and benefits have been considered [1, 2, 3].
Available strengths: 50 mg and 100 mg immediate-release capsules/tablets, and 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg extended-release capsules, which must be swallowed whole to prevent overdose. [1]
Tramadol is also available in injectable form.
Tramadol works by altering how the brain and nerves feel pain. In the body, it is converted by the liver into a stronger form [1], which then binds to pain receptors in the brain to give better pain relief.
Tramadol also increases certain brain chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine which help block pain signals and improve pain control [1]. This double action makes tramadol effective for easing moderate to moderately severe pain.
Always take tramadol exactly as your doctor prescribes and follow the directions on the label. For most adults with long-term or severe pain, treatment usually starts with 100 mg once a day (for extended-release forms) or 25 mg once a day (for regular tablets or liquid) [1].
Injectable tramadol should be administered when rapid pain relief is needed or oral use is not an option. It should be given slowly over 2 – 3 minutes intravenously (i.e., into a vein, IV) or intramuscularly (into muscle, IM) only under strict medical supervision. [4]
Tramadol is not recommended for children under 12 years, and doses for older adults or those over 75 years are usually lower to reduce side effects. Do not use tramadol during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless advised by a doctor [1].
Avoid taking more than the prescribed dose.
Do not take more than 400 mg of tramadol in a day as taking more than this recommended limit can increase the risk of serious side effects.
Tramadol can be taken with or without food [1, 2, 3].
If you forget to take a dose of tramadol, skip it and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses at once to make up for the missed one.
Store tramadol in a closed child-proof container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Do not freeze it. Ensure the disposal of unused tablets safely.
Common side effects of tramadol include:
Tramadol may also cause seizures, even within the recommended dose range, and allergic reactions ranging from mild itching to severe skin reactions or swelling. [1]
Tramadol can interact with medications that affect serotonin levels, increasing the risk of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome [1, 2, 4]. Watch for symptoms like agitation, fever, sweating, fast heartbeat, or muscle stiffness.
Alcohol, opioids, and other drugs that depress the central nervous system should not be used with tramadol, as they can cause dangerous breathing problems or increase side effects [1, 4].
What if I overdose on Tramadol?
If you take too much tramadol, get emergency help right away. An overdose can be dangerous and may cause seizures, slow or difficult breathing, very small pupils, or pale skin or lips. Doctors may give naloxone to treat tramadol overdose, but additional medical care is still needed even if naloxone is given because it does not fully reverse all the effects of a tramadol overdose [1].
References:
1. Dhesi M, Maldonado KA, Patel P, et al. Tramadol. [Updated 2024 Feb 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from here.
2. Food and Drugs Authority Ghana (FDA Ghana). Summary of Product Characteristics: Tradol 50 Capsules (Tramadol Hydrochloride) [Internet, n.d.]. [Cited 2025 Nov 16]. Available from here.
3. National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). Summary of Product Characteristics [Internet, n.d.]. [Cited 2025 Nov 16]. Available from here.
4. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Highlights of Prescribing Information: Tramadol [Internet]. Revised 2010 May. [Cited 2025 Nov 16]. Available from here.
Related:
Managing chronic pain with opioids raises your addiction risk, study says
Commonly Used Primary Care Pain Medications in Nigeria
Published: November 25, 2025
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