It’s difficult to know the exact amount of time that tramadol will be detectable, as this can be influenced by factors such as height, weight, age, and overall health. For example, if a person has a low-functioning kidney or liver, it will take longer for their body to process the medication.
Tramadol Half-Life
Although tramadol can stay in a person’s system for nearly two days, this drug has a half-life of 6.3 hours. This means that after six hours have passed, half the dose will remain in a person’s system.
Tramadol is often prescribed by physicians, as it is widely believed to be less addictive than other opioids. However, people can still become dependent on this medication.
If you or someone you love is unable to stop taking tramadol, you may want to consider an Vertava Health rehab program.
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How Long Does Tramadol (Ultram) Take To Work?
Tramadol is a fast-acting medication. People who take tramadol will likely feel the effects of the drug within 30-60 minutes. The peak concentration of tramadol is reached within two hours. This means that within the first hour or two after a person takes tramadol, they will likely experience side effects like analgesia (lessened pain) and sleepiness.
Drugs like tramadol are metabolized by the liver. If a person’s liver is well-functioning, this organ will then break tramadol down into agents called metabolites. Depending on a person’s metabolism and organ function, some may feel the drug’s effects faster than others.
Tramadol (Ultram) Detection Time
Tramadol can be detected in a person’s system anywhere from one to 36 hours after last use. This is an average estimate that can be impacted by a person’s body size, age, and metabolism.
People may be curious about tramadol detection time for several reasons. If a person has an upcoming drug screening, they may want to ensure the medication is cleared from their system.
Many workplaces and medical offices require drug screenings for a variety of reasons. If you have a legal prescription for tramadol and are worried about failing a drug test, simply alert the person administering the test to your prescription. They may ask for a copy of the prescription for their records.
Another reason people may wonder how long tramadol stays in the system is because of the other medications they take. Opioids like tramadol can be extremely dangerous when taken with other drugs, especially benzodiazepines.
Tramadol may also cause side effects such as dry mouth, insomnia, or headache. As the body processes the drug and peak levels decrease, these effects should diminish.
Drug Test Types That Detect Tramadol (Ultram)
Opioid analgesics like tramadol can be habit-forming. If a person takes tramadol for a long period of time, their body may begin to crave a higher dose of the drug. While less addictive than other opioids, tramadol should still be taken with caution.
This medication can result in tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Because of this, schools, doctors, and employers may require routine drug screenings that test for this opioid.
There are multiple drug screen types that can detect opioid-like tramadol, including:
- Urine Screening: This is the most common type of drug test, and usually shows results from the past one to three days
- Saliva Swab: Oral swab tests can detect tramadol for 24-36 hours after last use
- Hair Test: While it’s uncommon to use a hair test for tramadol, hair follicle screenings can often detect substances up to 90 days after use
If you are unable to stop taking tramadol without experiencing withdrawal symptoms, you are likely dependent on the medication. Fortunately, effective treatment is available.
Factors That Influence How Long Tramadol (Ultram) Is In Your System
Like other prescription medications, people’s bodies have different reactions to tramadol. This can include how long the drug stays in a person’s system. Genetics, overall health status, and size can all play a part in determining how long tramadol will remain in your body.
Tramadol detection time can be altered by additional factors, including:
Age
Elderly people have slower metabolisms, which can impact how long tramadol remains in a person’s system. Additionally, people of advanced age may have lower functioning kidneys and liver, which means it will take longer for the body to clear the medication.
Amount Taken
People who take tramadol for an extended amount of time may have traces of the drug in the fatty tissues of the body. If a person takes large or frequent doses of the drug, tramadol will remain traceable for a longer period of time.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Because tramadol is stored in the body’s fatty tissues, those who have a higher body mass index may have larger amounts of the drug in their system. A person’s BMI may also impact their overall organ function, including the rate at which their liver metabolizes drugs like tramadol.
How To Get Tramadol (Ultram) Out Of Your System
The safest way to get tramadol out of your system is with the help of a medical detox program. People who know they have an upcoming drug screening may attempt to stop taking the drug on their own, which can lead to acute withdrawal.
Opioid withdrawal can be difficult and uncomfortable. People who stop taking tramadol abruptly may experience symptoms like chills, nausea, vomiting, and anxiety.
It can be difficult to stop taking opioids like tramadol. Medically assisted detox programs can provide the support and supervision needed by people who are suffering from tramadol use and addiction.
In a medical detox setting, doctors may suggest a tapering schedule. This allows the patient to slowly decrease their dose of tramadol, in order to give their body time to adjust to not having the drug.
Even when a person tapers off slowly, they may still experience painful withdrawal symptoms. In a detoxification program, patients are provided with medication-assisted treatment that helps to relieve flu-like withdrawal symptoms.
Getting Treatment For Tramadol (Ultram) Use And Addiction
Many people can take tramadol without any issue. However, millions of Americans are currently battling an opioid use disorder. If you or someone you love is suffering from tramadol use, an inpatient rehab program can help.
Vertava Health provide on-site detox programs, at our rehab centers throughout the U.S. Once a person successfully detoxes from tramadol, they benefit by engaging in a blend of traditional and alternative therapies. Individual counseling, wilderness therapy, and 12-step support groups are offered at our inpatient rehab centers.
To learn more about how long tramadol stays in your system, or to find a Tramadol rehab program near you, contact an Vertava Health treatment specialist today.
