How Many Hours Should I Wait Between Oxycodone & Tramadol?
Question by Tyler: How many hours should I wait between Oxycodone & Tramadol?
I just took an oxycodone for my back pain, although Tramadol seems to work just as well & that is what I have left after this. I was wondering how many hours should I wait in between before I take the tramadol, because I know you are not supposed to take them together. Thank you for your time!
I don’t want to take them together, I just want to know how many hours after the oxycodone wears off can I take the Tramadol?
Best answer:
Answer by SilverLynx
Before I give you an answer, I need you to consider a few things first:
1. Oxys take about an hour to work. If it hasn’t been an hour, please do not take anything right away. They also have a half life of 4 hours (but I’ve had them last as long as 12).
2. Tramadol is a noepinefrine reuptake inhibitor, and releases seretonin. It has a half life (meaning it can stop working as early as) 6 hours. Because it effects your brain chemistry, and not just your pain levels, not taking it on time can cause severe “withdrawl” symptoms. PLUS it has codeine, which is an opiate, just like Oxy (though it is about 1/20th of what Oxy can do for you)
For these reasons, you REALLY need to talk to a doctor or pharmaist before you start doing both at the same time becuase ultimately you will need to be doing both at the same time.
The reason being that even if you surf from one to the other, Oxys can last longer than your next scheduled dose of Tramadol – and waiting too long on the Tramadol can make you dizzy, nauseous and can even possibly give you a headache bad enough to feel through the Oxys.
You need to go to a doctor or pharmasist IMMEDIATELY, (or call them, you do not want to drive on Oxys, you’ll kill yourself!) and tell them that you have taken an Oxy just a few minutes ago, and that you need to know an exact pill regimen – that minimizes the side effects of both (and keeps you alive while taking both – as the combo could inhibit liver function severely, stop your heart or your breathing, too)
I’m surprised you weren’t given one, but honestly, if they have given you both drugs and their only word of caution was “don’t take them at the same time” they obviously felt you needed both to deal with your pain.
Call a pharmacy or your doctor and demand the information – it could well save your life!
(One note: Extra strength Ibprofen (sometimes called Advil or Motrin) could be added to your pain management shedule with minimal interactions. Ask your pharmasist if taking this drug would be right for you – as it may allow you to put more room between doses of these two drugs.)
EDIT: I note that you’re saying you only have one Oxy left. In which case, I would wait for the pain to return. That is a good indication of when most of hte Oxy will be out of your system. If you are taking tramadol on a regular shedule and you should be aiming to take it soon, you’ll have to wait until at least then.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
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