FAQs on Malaria Vaccine

FAQs Malaria Vaccine H1N1 Influenza Virus Pioglitazone Genetically Modified Crop Tobacco Control Regulations Codeine Containing Cough Syrups Tramadol Mpox Outbreak Tapentadol World No Tobacco Day 2025 What is Tramadol? Tramadol is a man-made (synthetic) narcotic analgesic (pain reliever). What is Tramadol used for? Tramadol acts as a pain reliever and is prescribed to patients suffering frommoderate to severe pain. How does Tramadol work as a pain reliever? Once Tramadol enters the body, it attaches to the brain’s pain receptors andultimately blocks the sensation of pain. The primary mode of action is to decreasethe brain’s perception of pain and preferentially inhibits serotonin reuptake. What are the side effects of Tramadol? • Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;• Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;• Feeling nervous or anxious; or• Itching, sweating, and flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).• Noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing;• A slow heart rate or weak pulse;• A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;• Seizure (convulsions);• Infertility, missed menstrual periods;• Impotence, sexual problems, loss of interest in sex What are the dangers of mixing Tramadol with other substances? Taking Tramadol with other drugs which are not prescribed by your Doctor can leadto harmful effects and increase the chance of addiction. The combination of Tramadoland other substances, either alcohol or drugs can cause life threatening or even fatalside effects. Both alcohol and Tramadol are central nervous system depressants, andboth agents slow down brain activity and function which can lead to the following:• Confusion• Loss of consciousness• Brain damage• Respiratory depression• Increase depression and suicidal tendenciesTramadol and other drug interactions can result in,• Acute alcohol intoxication• Acute abdominal conditions• Tramadol/drug dependence• Intracranial pressure, Liver disease• Renal dysfunction• Respiratory depression,• Seizure disorders and other dangerous effects. Is Tramadol safe to be used in children? Generally, Tramadol should not be given to children younger than 16 years old.Research has shown that, Tramadol in children provides superior analgesic effectsas compared to the controlled group. However there are already some cases andclinical studies where Tramadol is used on children especially after surgery tominimize the pain. What are the signs of Tramadol overdose? Tramadol is a depressant, which means it slows down the function of the centralnervous system. It slows the rate of lung and heart functions. The following mayresult when there is an overdose• Confusion• Drowsiness• Vomiting• Bluish discoloration to lips and fingernails• Shallow breathing• Coma• Death may occur if breathing becomes too weak What are the signs of Tramadol withdrawal symptoms? A person who has become physically dependent on Tramadol may experience theeffects of withdrawal if the abuser suddenly stops using the drug.Signs of Tramadol withdrawal include:• Sweating,• Chills,• Nausea,• Vomiting,• Diarrhoea,• Restlessness,• Body aches,• Cramps,• Bone pain,• Seizures. How can you detect Tramadol misuse and dependence? Clients repeated requests for tramadol and their refusal to consider other painrelievers. Such clients usually approach pharmacy staff with well-rehearsed scriptsand resort to visiting one facility to another, termed “pharmacy hopping”, when theyare denied sale of their desired product How can Pharmacists help reduce the risk of Tramadol misuse? Pharmacists can help by removing Tramadol displayed at point of sale, refusing orrestricting the sale only with a prescription and also by providing information andmaking direct interventions through questioning. What is the FDA doing concerning the abuse of Tramadol? The FDA has:1. Intensified nationwide public education at schools, market places, beaches,transport terminals etc on the dangers and misuse of tramadol.2. Collaboration with the police and other law enforcement agencies to organizeswoops to restrict influx and arrest drug peddlers of unregistered products.3. Organizing training workshops in the entire country for law enforcementagencies and other stakeholders in drug control on the abuse and misuse oftramadol.4. Increased stakeholder Collaboration with the Media, National Road SafetyCommission, NCCE, DVLA, GES, PSGH, Ghana National Licensed ChemicalSellers Association, NACOB, GMA etc.5. Strengthened surveillance at the points of entry to prevent influx ofunregistered drugs6. Strengthen follow-up inspections to monitor the distribution records ofimporters and manufacturers of Tramadol.7. Variation of labeling to include the following:o Potential for addiction.o Do not use unless on medical advice 8. Collaborated with the Pharmacy Council to undertake the following orestrictions on the display of Tramadol on the shelves in the CommunityPharmacies (to be distributed as Controlled drug, under lock and key) ostrictly enforce distribution of Tramadol as a controlled drug (to requirePharmacies keep a record of prescriptions dispensed with a copy of thevalid prescription) References For further clarification contact FDA ono OFFICE LINES :-0302235100 / 0302233200 /0544341222. o TOLL FREE :- 0800151000(vodafone/Airtel) o Website: http://fdaghana.gov.gh oTwitter: http://ghfda@gh_fdao Facebook: Food and Drugs Authority-GH oEmail: fda@fdaghana.gov.gh oo Whatsapp: 0206973065 o SMS Short Code: 4015o Hotlines: 0299802932 0299802933