Many people wonder, can I take tramadol with suboxone? This article will discuss whether or not this combination is safe, the effects of mixing these two substances, and different ways to manage pain.
Suboxone blocks the pleasurable after-effects of tramadol, which means that if you’re taking tramadol and suboxone simultaneously, you won’t feel the euphoric effects of the tramadol. However, extreme caution must be taken when using these two substances, as mixing them in an unsafe manner can be very dangerous.
What is Suboxone and Tramadol?
Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone that helps people manage withdrawal symptoms from opioid substances. The benefit of suboxone is that although it does cause euphoria, it has a ceiling effect. At some point, increasing the dose does not increase the euphoric ‘high’.
Tramadol is an opioid drug prescribed as a painkiller for severe pain after surgery or serious injury. Like other opioid substances, tramadol is addictive. For this reason, patients will have to decrease the dose gradually with medical supervision when they no longer need to take the medication. Some of the side effects of tramadol include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, vomiting, difficulty concentrating, sweating, anxiety, and vision issues.
How Does Suboxone Block Tramadol?
The naloxone present in suboxone reverses the after-effects of opioids, while the buprenorphine replaces the opioid from the receptors in the brain. This means that the euphoric ‘high’ that results from using tramadol will not be felt if suboxone is used afterwards.
Can you Take Tramadol With Suboxone?
Yes, as long as you take suboxone and tramadol in that order- first suboxone and only then tramadol. A doctor may prescribe tramadol to be taken after suboxone to manage symptoms of pain.
Can you take tramadol and then suboxone? No, that would cause very unpleasant and even, in some cases, dangerous effects.
If you take tramadol first and then suboxone, you risk experiencing ‘precipitated withdrawal’ symptoms, also known as POW (Precipitated opioid withdrawal), where the typical withdrawal symptoms are more intense and severe than acute withdrawal.
Some of the side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
- Increased blood pressure and heartbeat
- Cramping and muscle aches
- Trouble sleeping
- Depression
- Suicidal ideation
Side Effects of Tramadol and Suboxone
As mentioned, using tramadol first and then suboxone will cause the effects of tramadol to be diminished completely. Additionally, there can be severe, unpleasant effects such as precipitated withdrawal. There are other risks involved in using the two drugs together (even if they are taken in the correct order), such as the risk of overdose. This is because both suboxone and tramadol are opioids, so if one increases the recommended dose of one or both substances, they increase the risk of overdose.
The two drugs interact differently for different people but can potentially cause seizures, sedation, and respiratory depression, among other adverse symptoms. In general, be careful when using suboxone and tramadol to ensure that you do not exceed the recommended dose or take the two substances in the wrong order.
How to Manage Pain While Taking Suboxone
Self-medicating on tramadol together with suboxone is never safe. If you are experiencing pain that impedes your day-to-day life, reach out to your local practitioner to discuss management options. (These include safe non-opioid medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.) Other ideas for managing pain include:
- Physical therapy
- Massage
- Yoga
- Neuro stimulation
- Exercise
- Numbing creams
Tramadol and Suboxone Addiction Treatment
Tramadol and suboxone addictions are all-consuming, debilitating, and dangerous. Many physical and emotional effects are unpleasant and difficult to deal with, and quitting cold turkey isn’t usually an option. The most effective way to manage an opioid addiction is with professional intervention, such as a psychiatrist, therapist, mental health counselor, or the 12-step groups. For more severe addictions, rehab may be the only option, although rehab is an effective solution for every stage and addiction type. At a reputable drug rehab facility, a wide range of therapies are employed to help patients recover from addiction, including group therapies, one-on-one therapies, and holistic modalities.
Start Tramadol and Suboxone Addiction Recovery Today
If you or your loved one is struggling with tramadol or any other opioid addiction, know that your life doesn’t have to continue this way. You can find sobriety if you’re willing to work hard to pull yourself together. The process is sometimes challenging, but the treatment works- and the result is a happier, more serene, and productive you. At Avenues Recovery we create personalized treatment plans and use a wide range of therapies to give every individual the help they need. Our staff are experts in the field of addiction and will stop at nothing to help you recover. Reach out to Avenues Recovery Center today to discover premier care and to start your journey towards a drug-free life.