Exact Answer: After 10 hours
Tramadol is a drug belonging to the narcotic group prescribed to treat pain. Tramadol is available in the market under the brand name of Ultram and Conzip. Some forms of tramadol come in combination with acetaminophen which is another drug used to treat mild pain.
Summary
A study found using tramadol by a breastfeeding mom causes no such adverse effects. So it is acceptable to use tramadol in a limited maternal dosage during breastfeeding. But sometimes infants may show some conditions like increased sleepiness (more than usual), difficulty breastfeeding and breathing difficulties, etc. Contact a physician immediately if you notice such changes.
How Long After Tramadol Can I Breastfeed?
| Tramadol injections or tablets shows it’s action | Within 1-2 hours |
| The action of Tramadol comes to an end | 4-8 hours |
Small amounts of tramadol are excreted into breast milk and the adverse effects of Tramadol on infants and newborns are not fully known. Tramadol is used by both adults and children for more than 2 years to relieve moderate to severe pain. It is also prescribed to the mothers after a cesarean section to manage pain.
Tramadol comes in a group of medications called opioids. Tramadol is metabolized in the body to another substance, called O-desmethyl tramadol. However, its metabolites are found in very small amounts in breast milk whenever taken by the mother. Tramadol and its metabolite are usually low in breast milk so causing any problem to the baby is not that much possible. However, some minor risks may arise with the baby’s breathing. And sometimes babies show some allergic reactions to tramadol.
Talk with your healthcare providers before taking any extra dose of Tramadol during breastfeeding. Making any changes in taking medications while you are in a breastfeeding condition may risk your baby. If you are a person who takes tramadol regularly, stopping tramadol suddenly is not recommended.
Stopping tramadol suddenly could cause many withdrawal symptoms. More research is being done on how going through withdrawal can affect a pregnancy. It is suggested if you want to reduce or stop using tramadol you should do it slowly by the process. Reduction of tramadol should be done under the direction of your healthcare provider.
Why Can I Breastfeed So Long After Tramadol?
Tramadol can be habit-forming or you may depend on this very deeply. This happens when you take tramadol for a long period.
Tramadol is prescribed when you have mild to moderate pain. This medication has effects like other pain medications, such as codeine, hydrocodone, and morphine. The opioid receptors are bound by tramadol which causes the blocking of pain signals by the brain. It works like other opioids.
There are some other effects of Tramadol. One of the basic effects it causes is it increases the effects of serotonin and norepinephrine. These are the two important chemical messengers or neurotransmitters of the brain. Both have a role in pain perception.
Pain killers should be taken in a limited number. As its purpose is to relieve pain so it plays a vital role to function better during your day-to-day life. Pain Relief medications, like tramadol or other pain killers, don’t fix what’s causing your pain. For a certain period, they give you relief. The pain may come again after the specific dose comes to an end. And very often they take the pain away completely.
Tramadol medication is available in the form of tablets and capsules. It’s also available in the form of drops or injections. Tramadol injections and drops or tablets act very fast on the body. They show the action within 30 to 60 minutes. And their effects come to an end within 4 to 6 hours after taking medication. Generally, Tramadol with 50 to 100 milligrams comes under fast-acting pain killers.
Conclusion
Generally, Drugs taken during breastfeeding by the mother may pass to the baby through breastmilk. Avoiding all types of alcohol, tobacco, and smoking is always recommended to a breastfeeding woman.
As a breastfeeding woman, always remember to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any such drug regularly. If you are prescribed medication, like tramadol then try feeding your baby just before you take the medication. Or you may wait at least 5-6 hours after medication to limit the amount passed into your breastmilk. It is best to wait for 10 hours after taking tramadol. Talk to your doctor and he may give you advice in a better way.
Reference
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959289X11001233
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00228-011-1030-7
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