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#1
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Tramadol
Hi all,
My cat has intestinal lymphoma. A large tumor has formed, and we think he may be beginning to have some pain because he cried a little the last time the onocologist examined his abdomen (though I've been told that this kind of cancer does not tend to cause much pain--that it's the nausea that causes the most discomfort as the disease progresses). Anyway, he was prescribed tramadol, and I've been wanting to find out a little more before giving it to him. I've read that it's an opiod, has few side effects, and they don't THINK it's addictive. Anyone have experience giving this drug to their cat? Thanks, Caroline |
#2
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Tramadol
On 24 Mar, 00:58, "Rose" wrote:
Anyway, he was prescribed tramadol, and I've been wanting to find out a little more before giving it to him. I've read that it's an opiod, has few side effects, and they don't THINK it's addictive. Anyone have experience giving this drug to their cat? Thanks, Caroline I can't be certain, but if opiates are taken over a long period, then they are addictive.. However, if your vet is prescribing them I am sure that she/he will have considered that thought, & would never put him through withdrawal symptoms.. they would cut them down slowly over a period of time, so that he doesn't suffer the pain of withdrawal symptoms. And, if they are consider giving him opiates, then he most be in some pain there.. Talk to your vet about it all. I am certain that they will give you good advice.. S;o) |
#3
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Tramadol
"Rose" wrote in message
ups.com... Hi all, My cat has intestinal lymphoma. A large tumor has formed, and we think he may be beginning to have some pain because he cried a little the last time the onocologist examined his abdomen (though I've been told that this kind of cancer does not tend to cause much pain--that it's the nausea that causes the most discomfort as the disease progresses). Anyway, he was prescribed tramadol, and I've been wanting to find out a little more before giving it to him. I've read that it's an opiod, has few side effects, and they don't THINK it's addictive. Anyone have experience giving this drug to their cat? Thanks, Caroline I never gave it to my cats, but I've taken it (brand name Ultram). It's not narcotic and has less side effects than most pain killers. It is prescribed when there is already nausea present since it has less chance of causing stomach upset. Hugs, CatNipped |
#4
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Tramadol
On Mar 23, 7:58 pm, "Rose" wrote:
Anyway, he was prescribed tramadol, and I've been wanting to find out a little more before giving it to him. I've read that it's an opiod, has few side effects, and they don't THINK it's addictive. Anyone have experience giving this drug to their cat? Hi Caroline. Sorry to hear about your kitty. My Meesha recently had surgery and was given Tramadol for pain relief. Meesha is a very affectionate cat, and the Tramadol seemed to intensify that (constant head butting, purring, seeking affection, etc.) which wasn't a bad thing in itself. However, the drug did make her aggitated and it took a while for her to settle down. We just decreased her dose, and she was fine. I do believe it helped her be more comfortable. Best wishes for your kitty, Lauren |
#5
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Tramadol
"Rose" wrote in message ups.com... Hi all, My cat has intestinal lymphoma. A large tumor has formed, and we think he may be beginning to have some pain because he cried a little the last time the onocologist examined his abdomen (though I've been told that this kind of cancer does not tend to cause much pain--that it's the nausea that causes the most discomfort as the disease progresses). ----------- As an aside, you might want to ask your doctor if you can give your kitty some Pepcid to try to combat nausea. I have a CRF kitty with presumed nausea, who had been moping around for weeks. Someone (don't remember who) mentioned that the cat might be nauseated and Pepcid might help. It worked like a charm and it's very benign. A cat-sized dose is 2.5 to 5.0 mg. Ask your vet about it. Best regards, ---Cindy S. |
#6
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Tramadol
"sheelagh" wrote in message ups.com... On 24 Mar, 00:58, "Rose" wrote: Anyway, he was prescribed tramadol, and I've been wanting to find out a little more before giving it to him. I've read that it's an opiod, has few side effects, and they don't THINK it's addictive. Anyone have experience giving this drug to their cat? Thanks, Caroline I can't be certain, but if opiates are taken over a long period, then they are addictive.. What happens is that a *tolerance* develops so that if the person (or cat) stops taking them, they need to be weaned gradually, as withdrawal symptoms can result. This is not the same as "addiction" which (in humans) is associated with aberrant drug-taking behavior (e.g., behaviors like increasing the dose without the doctor's permission, seeking multiple sources for the drug, attempting to obtain it illegally etc). People who are addicted often need to go through special programs in drug detoxification centers etc. The reason I am making a point of making this distinction is that people are often prescribed opioid medications for chronic pain syndromes, and they do develop tolerances (i.e. that if they decide to discontinue the drug, they need to wean slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms), but it would be inaccurate to say they are *addicted.* However, if your vet is prescribing them I am sure that she/he will have considered that thought, & would never put him through withdrawal symptoms.. they would cut them down slowly over a period of time, so that he doesn't suffer the pain of withdrawal symptoms. And, if they are consider giving him opiates, then he most be in some pain there.. Talk to your vet about it all. I am certain that they will give you good advice.. S;o) I agree. Best regards, ---Cindy S. |
#7
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Tramadol
"CatNipped" wrote in message ... "Rose" wrote in message ups.com... Hi all, My cat has intestinal lymphoma. A large tumor has formed, and we think he may be beginning to have some pain because he cried a little the last time the onocologist examined his abdomen (though I've been told that this kind of cancer does not tend to cause much pain--that it's the nausea that causes the most discomfort as the disease progresses). Anyway, he was prescribed tramadol, and I've been wanting to find out a little more before giving it to him. I've read that it's an opiod, has few side effects, and they don't THINK it's addictive. Anyone have experience giving this drug to their cat? Thanks, Caroline I never gave it to my cats, but I've taken it (brand name Ultram). It's not narcotic It is an opioid. and has less side effects than most pain killers. It is prescribed when there is already nausea present since it has less chance of causing stomach upset. The major side effect in humans who take opioids is constipation. I don't know if this is one of the side effects that tramadol doesn't have. But at any rate, if Rose decides to go ahead with the tramadol, she might want to keep an eye on this. Cats can be given things like lactulose and Benefiber (in cat-sized doses) to combat constipation, just like humans. She should ask her veterinarian about this. Again, Pepcid may help her cat's nausea. She should ask her vet about this too. Hugs, CatNipped Hugs from me too. Best regards, ---Cindy S. |
#8
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Tramadol
On Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:31:19 -0400, cindys wrote:
What happens is that a *tolerance* develops so that if the person (or cat) stops taking them, they need to be weaned gradually, as withdrawal symptoms can result. This is not the same as "addiction" which (in humans) is associated with aberrant drug-taking behavior (e.g., behaviors like increasing the dose without the doctor's permission, seeking multiple sources for the drug, attempting to obtain it illegally etc). People who are addicted often need to go through special programs in drug detoxification centers etc. The reason I am making a point of making this distinction is that people are often prescribed opioid medications for chronic pain syndromes, and they do develop tolerances (i.e. that if they decide to discontinue the drug, they need to wean slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms), but it would be inaccurate to say they are *addicted.* What is your source for this information??? It sounds like something you heard from a prescription drug addict as opposed to a doctor or medical authority. Charlie |
#9
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Tramadol
"Charlie Wilkes" wrote in message news On Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:31:19 -0400, cindys wrote: What happens is that a *tolerance* develops so that if the person (or cat) stops taking them, they need to be weaned gradually, as withdrawal symptoms can result. This is not the same as "addiction" which (in humans) is associated with aberrant drug-taking behavior (e.g., behaviors like increasing the dose without the doctor's permission, seeking multiple sources for the drug, attempting to obtain it illegally etc). People who are addicted often need to go through special programs in drug detoxification centers etc. The reason I am making a point of making this distinction is that people are often prescribed opioid medications for chronic pain syndromes, and they do develop tolerances (i.e. that if they decide to discontinue the drug, they need to wean slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms), but it would be inaccurate to say they are *addicted.* What is your source for this information??? It sounds like something you heard from a prescription drug addict as opposed to a doctor or medical authority. -------- I don't think what I've written above comes even close to sounding like it came from "a prescription drug addict." Here is the medline link to information about tramadol: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...r/a695011.html I am a medical person. Some of the work I currently do is for a pain clinic, which is affiliated with a major urban hospital. A pain clinic is a place where individuals with chronic pain problems go for treatment. The treatments may include (but are not limited to) any of the following: 1. Interventional injections such as lumbar epidural steroid injections for certain back problems (for example). 2. Trigger point injections. 3. Referrals for physical therapy. 4. Prescriptions for opioid pain medications. 5. Psychological therapy from a psychologist who specializes in the treatment of pain disorders with the use of modalities such as biofeedback, relaxation therapy etc. When patients at this clinic are prescribed opioid pain medications, the first step is a urine toxicology screen to ascertain that they are not taking illicit substances. They sign an opioid contract/agreement in which they agree not to increase their pain meds on their own and not to obtain them from any providers other than the ones at the pain clinic. Generally, patients with a past history of drug abuse are not considered candidates for opioid medications. Throughout the time the patients are taking the opioid pain meds, they are subject to random urine toxicology screening to ensure compliance. Some patients take opioid pain medications for years for chronic pain. They develop dependence, but they are not "addicts." When they no longer need/want the drugs, they wean off the drugs over a period of a couple of weeks, and they are done. They are not *addicts.* As I stated above, an "addict" is a person who is exhibiting the aberrant drug-taking behaviors I described in my first post and generally require treatment at a drug detoxification facility in order to get off drugs. People who are not "addicts" but merely dependent on the drug (which anyone who takes opioids for more than a short time period becomes *dependent*) merely wean off the drugs when they no longer require them. Tramadol is considered a very low level opioid, meaning, the risk of addiction is so small that the current wisdom is that tramadol is safe to use *even in patients with a past history of opioid addiction.* In the USA, it is not even classified as a controlled substance. I hope the above information clarifies things. Best regards, ---Cindy S. |
#10
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Tramadol
On Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:24:37 -0400, cindys wrote:
"Charlie Wilkes" wrote in message news On Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:31:19 -0400, cindys wrote: What happens is that a *tolerance* develops so that if the person (or cat) stops taking them, they need to be weaned gradually, as withdrawal symptoms can result. This is not the same as "addiction" which (in humans) is associated with aberrant drug-taking behavior (e.g., behaviors like increasing the dose without the doctor's permission, seeking multiple sources for the drug, attempting to obtain it illegally etc). People who are addicted often need to go through special programs in drug detoxification centers etc. The reason I am making a point of making this distinction is that people are often prescribed opioid medications for chronic pain syndromes, and they do develop tolerances (i.e. that if they decide to discontinue the drug, they need to wean slowly to avoid withdrawal symptoms), but it would be inaccurate to say they are *addicted.* What is your source for this information??? It sounds like something you heard from a prescription drug addict as opposed to a doctor or medical authority. -------- I don't think what I've written above comes even close to sounding like it came from "a prescription drug addict." As I stated above, an "addict" is a person who is exhibiting the aberrant drug-taking behaviors I described in my first post and generally require treatment at a drug detoxification facility in order to get off drugs. People who are not "addicts" but merely dependent on the drug (which anyone who takes opioids for more than a short time period becomes *dependent*) merely wean off the drugs when they no longer require them. Tramadol is considered a very low level opioid, meaning, the risk of addiction is so small that the current wisdom is that tramadol is safe to use *even in patients with a past history of opioid addiction.* In the USA, it is not even classified as a controlled substance. I hope the above information clarifies things. Best regards, I question whether many people can become physically dependent on narcotics without also developing a psychological craving. But, I don't know. My reason for challenging you was your use of the term "tolerance," which doesn't square with my understanding, i.e., "drug tolerance occurs when a subject's reaction to a psychopharmaceutical drug... decreases so that larger doses are required to achieve the same effect." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_tolerance) Charlie |
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