{"id":630305,"date":"2024-11-05T19:16:56","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T00:16:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630305"},"modified":"2025-09-18T13:54:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T17:54:14","slug":"is-tramadol-good-for-arthritis-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/is-tramadol-good-for-arthritis-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"Is tramadol good for arthritis pain?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arthritis<\/span><\/a> is a joint disease that affects <\/span>nearly 60 million adults<\/span><\/a>. There are over 100 types of arthritis, but <\/span>osteoarthritis<\/span> (OA)<\/span><\/a> is by far the <\/span>most common type<\/span><\/a>. Symptoms of OA include <\/span>joint pain<\/span>, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion in the joints. In severe cases, arthritis can make daily activities such as walking or climbing stairs difficult. While arthritis has <\/span>no cure<\/span><\/a>, many medications are available that help relieve symptoms, slow down the disease, and improve your <\/span>quality of life<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tramadol<\/span><\/a> is a generic prescription medication that\u2019s <\/span>used to<\/span><\/a> relieve moderate-to-<\/span>severe pain<\/span> that\u2019s unmanaged by other treatments. Often referred to by its <\/span>brand name<\/span> Ultram<\/span>, <\/span>tramadol<\/span> is an <\/span>opioid<\/span> medication<\/span><\/a> that\u2019s classified as a schedule IV <\/span>controlled substance<\/span><\/a> due to its potential for <\/span>physical dependence<\/span>, abuse, and addiction. While oral and topical <\/span>nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs<\/span> (<\/span>NSAIDs<\/span>)<\/span><\/a> and steroid injections are usually preferred for <\/span>short-term<\/span> OA pain relief<\/span>, <\/span>tramadol<\/span> may be prescribed in certain situations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll discuss the <\/span>use of tramadol<\/span> for arthritis pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Does <\/span>tramadol<\/span> help with arthritis pain?<\/span><\/h2>\n

While most <\/span>opioid analgesics<\/span> should be <\/span>avoided<\/span><\/a> in OA, <\/span>healthcare professionals<\/span> may prescribe <\/span>tramadol<\/span> in certain cases. For example, <\/span>tramadol<\/span> may be helpful for severe <\/span>OA pain<\/span> that <\/span>isn\u2019t relieved by <\/span>NSAIDs<\/span> or Tylenol (<\/span>acetaminophen<\/span><\/a>).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As mentioned above, <\/span>tramadol<\/span> is an <\/span>opioid<\/span> drug. According to the <\/span>American College of Rheumatology<\/span> (ACR) and Arthritis Foundation OA guidelines<\/span><\/a>, nontramadol <\/span>opioids<\/span> should be avoided due to their <\/span>side effect<\/span> profile and risk of dependency. But, as a \u201c<\/span>low-level <\/span>opioid<\/span><\/a>,\u201d <\/span>tramadol<\/span> is conditionally recommended for <\/span>short-term<\/span> pain relief<\/span> from knee, hand, or hip OA.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a <\/span>2019 study<\/span><\/a> that reviewed 22 clinical trials, researchers found that slightly more people who took <\/span>tramadol<\/span> experienced significant improvement in their pain than those who took a <\/span>placebo<\/span> (sugar pill). However, the study also concluded that taking <\/span>tramadol<\/span> for up to three months had no significant benefit on pain or physical function. A <\/span>2023 study<\/span><\/a> of <\/span>tramadol<\/span> for knee or hip OA found that 300 milligrams (mg) of <\/span>tramadol<\/span> daily provides minimal improvement in pain and function. The study also noted that this dosage showed a higher risk of digestive and cognitive <\/span>side effects<\/span> than <\/span>placebo<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How does <\/span>tramadol<\/span> work for <\/span>osteoarthritis<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to its <\/span>prescribing<\/span> information, <\/span>tramadol<\/span> works by binding to certain <\/span>opioid<\/span> receptors<\/span> to change the way the brain perceives pain. But, unlike <\/span>NSAIDs<\/span>, <\/span>tramadol<\/span> does not reduce inflammation or swelling. <\/span>Tramadol<\/span> also boosts the levels of <\/span>serotonin<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>norepinephrine<\/span><\/a>\u2014chemicals involved in mood, wound healing, blood clotting, and alertness\u2014in your system. Similar to other <\/span>opioids<\/span>, <\/span>tramadol<\/span> can slow the central <\/span>nervous system<\/span> (CNS) and cause <\/span>side effects<\/span> such as <\/span>drowsiness<\/span>, <\/span>constipation<\/span>, and dizziness. In rare cases, <\/span>tramadol<\/span> can cause excessive sleepiness and severe respiratory depression (slowed or shallow breathing), especially if it’s combined with <\/span>benzodiazepines<\/span><\/a>, alcohol, sleep medications, or other drugs known to depress the CNS.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tramadol<\/span> dosage for arthritis<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to its <\/span>prescribing<\/span> information, the recommended dosage of immediate-release <\/span>tramadol<\/span> for moderate-to-<\/span>severe pain<\/span> is 50-100 mg every four to six hours. For the <\/span>extended-release version<\/span><\/a>, the typical starting dosage is 100 mg once daily. Keep in mind this dosage depends on the severity of the condition being treated. To minimize the risks of <\/span>adverse effects<\/span>, addiction, and drug dependence, healthcare providers will prescribe the lowest effective dosage for the shortest amount of time needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tramadol<\/span> vs. <\/span>NSAIDs<\/span> for <\/span>osteoarthritis<\/span><\/h2>\n

Because arthritis is characterized by pain, swelling, and inflammation, oral <\/span>NSAIDs<\/span> are considered <\/span>the mainstay of OA treatment<\/span><\/a>. There is <\/span>considerable evidence<\/span><\/a> that establishes their <\/span>short-term<\/span> effectiveness, and the treatment guidelines recommend them as the initial treatment choice for OA regardless of where the OA is located. However, <\/span>NSAIDs<\/span>, such as <\/span>ibuprofen<\/span> and <\/span>naproxen<\/span>, have many potential risks, many of which are particularly dangerous for older adults. These include serious <\/span>cardiovascular<\/span>, kidney, and <\/span>gastrointestinal<\/span> adverse events<\/span>. As one of the alternatives to <\/span>NSAIDs<\/span>, the ACR and Arthritis Foundation conditionally recommend <\/span>tramadol<\/span> for people with <\/span>hip, hand, or <\/span>knee OA<\/span> in situations when <\/span>NSAIDs<\/span> aren\u2019t appropriate, other treatments are ineffective, or if surgery isn\u2019t an option. The guidelines note, however, that there are still concerns about potential <\/span>side effects<\/span> from <\/span>tramadol<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: Toradol vs. tramadol<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

A <\/span>2008 randomized controlled trial<\/span><\/a> published in <\/span>Pain Research and Management<\/span><\/i> compared once-daily <\/span>tramadol<\/span> to <\/span>diclofenac<\/span>, an oral <\/span>NSAID<\/span>, for <\/span>OA pain<\/span>. The study found that controlled-release <\/span>tramadol<\/span> is just as effective as sustained-release <\/span>diclofenac<\/span> for treating pain caused by knee or hip OA, with a lower risk of the <\/span>serious side effects<\/span> that may occur with <\/span>NSAID<\/span> therapy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While <\/span>tramadol<\/span> is <\/span>generally well-tolerated<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s always important to consult a healthcare provider before use. They can discuss the potential benefits and risks of <\/span>tramadol<\/span> treatment. As discussed above, like other <\/span>opioids<\/span>, the <\/span>effects of tramadol<\/span> can be serious, including respiratory depression, addiction, and drug dependence. In addition, <\/span>tramadol<\/span> isn\u2019t recommended for certain people. These include people who:<\/span><\/p>\n