Is Tramadol a Controlled Substance? Investigating the Classification of Opioid Pain Medication

In recent years, there have been reported cases of tramadol abuse, as many people believe it is not addictive. This false information can lead them to develop drug addiction without even realizing it.

As the U.S. faces an opioid crisis, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires several updates in prescribing information for pain-relieving drugs. These changes were made to provide additional supervision for the safe use of these drugs while acknowledging their benefits when used properly.

Is Tramadol a Controlled Substance?

Tramadol is an opioid pain reliever approved by the FDA in 1995. Opioids refer to medications used in treating moderate to severe pain. They do this by turning on areas of the nerve cells called opioid receptors or chemical binding sites. These receptors inhibit the passage of pain messages to the brain, helping a person to feel less pain.

Tramadol was initially classified as a non-controlled medication, meaning it can be prescribed by healthcare providers with few restrictions. However, experts have become concerned about the potential of tramadol for drug dependence and misuse.

Using tramadol without a drug prescription or taking it in higher doses for longer than prescribed is already considered abuse. Another form of tramadol abuse is combining it with other substances to increase its effects.

Some side effects of tramadol abuse include changes in appetite, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, and impaired coordination. The abuse and misuse of this drug can also lead to severe adverse reactions like seizures, especially when tramadol is taken with antidepressants.

To address this concern, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classified tramadol as a Schedule IV controlled substance on August 18, 2014, which applies to all states. Before his ruling, tramadol was classified as a controlled substance in at least ten states in the U.S.

Many pharmacies and medical associations agreed with the decision of the DEA, but some experts disagreed with this policy. Some worried that classifying tramadol as a controlled substance would make it harder for people to access it when needed. They also think there is not enough evidence to support the decision to place tramadol under this category.

What Does a Controlled Substance Mean?

Controlled substances refer to medications that can cause physical and mental dependence. Hence, there are limitations on how they can be filled and refilled. This means that government authorities regulate their manufacture, possession, or use.

Under the Controlled Substances Act of DEA, the drugs classified as controlled substances are divided into five schedules. These schedules are based on the potential of the medication to cause dependence or misuse. Scheduled substances, such as heroin, have the most risk and are therefore illegal in the U.S. Meanwhile, prescription medications that fall under Schedule V have the least risk.

Each schedule also has different restrictions on how they are prescribed. Aside from this, individual medications can have more rules than others within their schedule. Individual states can also change the medication schedule, although they are not allowed to change the drug schedule to a lower-risk number. States can classify a non-controlled substance as controlled if they think the risk of misuse warrants it.