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Tramadol Fuels Sierra Leone Elections Violence

HomeAYV NewsTramadol Fuels Sierra Leone Elections Violence

Tramadol Fuels Sierra Leone Elections Violence

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However, the widespread use and abuse of Tramadol is on the increase and pharmacies are not helping the situation because even though pharmacies are only supposed to sell Tramadol to those with a doctor’s prescription; the unhealthy competition among pharmacies is leading them to be reckless and careless about whom they sell Tramadol to.

More importantly, the side effects of Tramadol can be lethal. There have been cases of people misusing Tramadol that died either from overdose or misuse of the drug. In most of these cases, the user of Tramadol is either totally ignorant or oblivious of the inherent dangers posed by Tramadol; or they are deliberately using Tramadol as a performance-enhancing drug without considering the dire consequences.

The need therefore for our health authorities to regulate the sale and use of Tramadol cannot be overemphasized, underrated or overlooked because it is a fact that Tramadol must and should only be used or taken by patients with a prescription for this drug.

Also fueling the illegal use of Tramadol is the proliferation of pharmacies which indulge or thrive on drugs that are smuggled into the country. There have been instances of pharmacy owners/traders etc caught red-handed trafficking Tramadol and other drugs into the country.

As all of this is going on, our Police and Judiciary are not helping to regulate or halt this ugly trend. There have been instances when Police arrested suspects accused of smuggling Tramadol and they were duly charged to court. Unfortunately however, most of such suspects got off either with a ridiculous fine or they were simply set free due to negligible evidence produced by the Police to warrant a serious conviction.

For the information of youths across Freetown, especially those that are involved in political campaigns, Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain; and not to use as a performance-enhancing drug.

The extended-release form of Tramadol is for around-the-clock treatment of pain. The extended-release form of Tramadol is not for use on an as-needed basis for pain.

No one should not take Tramadol if they have severe breathing problems; a blockage in your stomach or intestines or if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, narcotic medication, or an MAO inhibitor.

Tramadol can slow or stop your breathing, and may be habit-forming. Misuse of this medicine can cause addiction; overdose, or death, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription.

Tramadol should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old. Ultram ER should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years old.

Taking Tramadol during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

Fatal side effects can occur if you use this medicine with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

Before taking this medicine you should not take Tramadol if you are allergic to it, or if you have severe asthma or breathing problems; a blockage in your stomach or intestines; if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or narcotic medications; or if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days (such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine).

Tramadol should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old. Ultram ER should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years old.

It is advisable not to give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old who recently had surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.

Seizures have occurred in some people taking Tramadol. Talk with your doctor about your seizure risk, which may be higher if you have ever had a head injury, epilepsy or other seizure disorder; drug or alcohol addiction; a metabolic disorder; or if you also use certain antibiotics, antifungal medications, heart or blood pressure medications, or medicines to treat HIV or AIDS.

If you use Tramadol while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Do not breast-feed while taking Tramadol. This medicine can pass into breast milk and cause drowsiness, breathing problems, or death in a nursing baby.

To make sure Tramadol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or kidney disease; a stomach disorder; or mental illness, or suicide attempt.

It is further advisable that Tramadol should be taken or administered exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Tramadol can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever your dose is changed. Never take this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Tramadol may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. 

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