{"id":54244,"date":"2022-09-30T09:30:01","date_gmt":"2022-09-30T13:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=54244"},"modified":"2024-09-25T10:13:55","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T14:13:55","slug":"tramadol-for-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/tramadol-for-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Does tramadol work for anxiety?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health concern in America, affecting an estimated 40 million American adults. In fact, <\/span>31.1%<\/span><\/a> of adults in the United States will experience an anxiety disorder during their lifetime. To treat anxiety disorders, doctors may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication, such as a benzodiazepine, or an <\/span>antidepressant<\/span><\/a> (including <\/span>SSRIs<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>SNRIs<\/span><\/a>, or<\/span> tricyclic antidepressants<\/span><\/a>). Sometimes, a combination of medications may be prescribed.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to data published in the <\/span>Express Scripts State of Mind Report<\/span><\/a>, 11.1% of the population was taking an antidepressant in 2019, and 4.9% were taking anti-anxiety medication. And almost 50% of individuals taking an anti-anxiety medication also took an antidepressant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, the pain medication <\/span>tramadol<\/span><\/a> is prescribed to manage symptoms of anxiety. As an opioid, the drug works with opioid receptors in the brain to <\/span>release dopamine<\/span><\/a>, a chemical that can make you feel relaxed. But does tramadol help with anxiety? Here\u2019s what you need to know about tramadol for anxiet<\/span><\/p>\n

What is tramadol (Ultram)?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Doctors who prescribe tramadol for anxiety are using the drug off-label. That means the drug is approved by the FDA for something other than what it\u2019s being prescribed to treat. In this case, <\/span>Tramadol<\/span><\/a> is an opioid medication that is <\/span>FDA approved<\/span><\/a> to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. According to <\/span>Wendi D Jones, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a>, a pharmacist with <\/span>AspenRx Health<\/span><\/a>, off-label tramadol is used for the temporary treatment of premature <\/span>ejaculation in males, restless leg syndrome<\/span><\/a>, anxiety, and depression.<\/span><\/p>\n

But tramadol is a <\/span>class IV controlled substance<\/span><\/a> that can be <\/span>habit-forming<\/span><\/a>, especially with prolonged use.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tramadol for anxiety<\/span><\/h2>\n

In addition to the pain-relieving effects of tramadol (caused by its action on opioid receptors in the brain and spine), tramadol <\/span>inhibits norepinephrine and serotonin uptake<\/span><\/a> similar to some SNRIs, Dr. Jones says. \u201cLow-dose tramadol has been shown to be generally safe, effective, and fast-acting for depression,\u201d Dr. Jones says. And <\/span>case studies<\/span><\/a> show that some patients who are prescribed tramadol experience an improved mood.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some physicians might prescribe tramadol for anxiety and depression. The drug works quickly, and patients using tramadol for anxiety or depression often feel better with the first dose, Dr. Jones says. Although onset and duration are not well documented when it comes to anxiety and depression symptom relief, Dr. Jones says that tramadol is rapidly absorbed, with peak concentration occurring within two to three hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPain relief is usually experienced within one hour of taking the medication and can last four to six hours after a single dose,\u201d Dr. Jones says. \u201cCase studies for anxiety indicate relief for multiple hours following a single low dose.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, there is a chance of dependency with the drug when used for more than short-term use, explains <\/span>Joshua Flatow, MD<\/span><\/a>, medical director and chief psychiatrist at <\/span>Pacific Mind Health<\/span><\/a> in Long Beach, California. For this reason, some physicians may be hesitant to prescribe tramadol for anxiety alone. It may be best used for patients with concurrent anxiety and pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The best option to treat anxiety depends on the patient, Dr. Flatow says. That\u2019s because an individual\u2019s medical history and comorbidities come into play. But as much as possible, Dr. Flatow advises his patients to do therapies like <\/span>cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)<\/span><\/a>, a research-backed anxiety treatment, along with any medication they are prescribed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tramadol side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

The following are some common side effects of tramadol:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n