Tramadol compared with Co-codamol

[ChillySundays]

Hopefully simple questions
What level of co-codamol corresponds with the maximum dosage of tramadol?
What is the maximum tramadol dosage

Maximum co-codomol is 2x 30/500 no idea about tramadol as it doesn't agree with me

Max daily dose of cocodamol (8 tablets of 30/500 strength) is equivalent to around 24mg morphine.

Max daily dose of Tramadol is 400mg. Roughly equivalent to 80mg morphine.

So 1 x50mg tablet Tramadol is over 3 times as potent as 30mg codeine.

Please double check with a pharmacist though.

Tramadol is stronger, but Co-Codamol tends not to have the weird side effects.

OP: sorry if this is stating the bleedin obvious, but do not attempt to increase dose of cocodomol to match tramadol levels of opiate. The 8 tablets puts you very close to the paracetamol overdose limit.

If you need stronger drugs, consult your doctor. Do not attempt to match them, as meditrina says.

Tramadol has some pretty whacky side effects and you have a come down when you stop too which is very unpleasant. Avoid unless necessary. Really really necessary.

I have a pretty hardcore illness and drug habit to go with it and my regime includes
3x codeine (30g) every four hours.
I don't use the tramodol or oramorph as it has unpleasant side effects on me. I can work and look after my boys on codeine.
Hope your ok.

Thanks everyone.

I am on 30/500 co-codamol and just wondered out of curiosity how it compared to tramadol as some one I know is using that.

To be honest the co-codamol makes me feel weird enough (can't take in the day at work) so definitely don't want to feel worse! Although I wish it took more of the pain away.

Ask your doctor if you can be given separate codeine and paracetamol so you can manage your own levels of painkillers

I have been known to take an 8/500 a 500mg paracetamol and a 30mg codeine before iyswim because I know 30 won't do but 60 is too much

Try a 30/500mg cocodamol with a 500 paracetamol, that's what I used to do if I needed to be fully functional but not in pain.

I take both. Some days 3x 2 cocodamol 30/500. Some days tramadol 50x2, 2-3 times a day. Or even 150 mg slow release and top up with cocodamol when required.

Before I get shot down my pain consultant agrees that not sticking to one routine is a good idea. On the very rare days that I don't need opiates/opioids thn I don't take them and just stick to the regular naproxen, gabapentin and amytriptiline.

On really rough days I will add in oromorph and/ or diazepam. Like today, actually.

If it makes life bearable I guess it's ok.

However, I understand these meds quite well. I understand their functions and side effects. I did a pain management course last year which was quite good but I was really shocked at how few people with long term chronic pain actually knew what their meds were doing and what their side effects might be.

Sorry, I'm rambling but the answer for me is to have a wide selection to chose from and then make that choice in a reasonable educated way.

Take 2 lots of 2 co-codamols in the evenings and nothing in the day as find paracetamol or ibupofen doesn't work.

Have been taking tablets for over 18 months and anticipate being on them for a bit longer but hopefully will be off them within the year.

Are you all on these meds long term?

Matilda what would you say the side effects of codeine are? I have to take lot of it - 60-90mg every four hours for both pain relief and to slow my bowel.
I worry what I am putting in my body :(

For me the side effects of codeine vary. Sometimes I feel no different cognitively, other times I can feel quite woozy, especially in conjunction with gabapentin. If I'm up and about I seem ok but if I need to lie down I'm quite liable to doze off.

If my back is really spasmy, diazepam generally helps but I am sparing because have no wish to add addiction to Valium to my list of problems.

Yes to constipation. I just take a biggish slug of lactulose at bedtime and it usually works.

I hate the spikes of pain that I get by taking doses regularly because the pain is almost always getting bad by the time I take it. I don't like to take it if I feel ok but in anticipation IYSWIM? I'm considering asking for MST or butrans patches but they come with even higher risks...sorry! I do ramble on. Hope all pai sufferers are having an okish day.

Sorry just re read your message. Sounds like you want the sluggish bowel. Poor you. Bowel disorders are hateful.xx

Matilda = does the lactulose work overnight for you? The chemist told me to take senokot but it takes longer to work so if I wasn't able to stay at home I couldn't take the risk.

Wannabe - I find the co-codamol makes me very woozy as well as the constipation. Trouble is whatever you take will have some effects.

On the plus side I sleep a lot better than I used to!!

I found tramadol to be more effective but with more side effects. It has been a few years since I last used it though and I know they recently changed the status of it?

At one point it seemed to be dished out like smarties but I don't know how readily GPs prescribe it now??

I'm told that maxitram has the same ingredients as tramadol, so why isn't maxitram a controlled drug as well..........