Zytram is a brand name for the medication tramadol in countries such as Iceland, Canada and Spain, Drugs.com reports. Tramadol is a potent pain reliever which can be used to treat severe or chronic pain. Like many narcotic pain relievers, there are certain long-term side effects associated, particularly for patients who take Zytram for extended periods of time.
Tolerance/Dependence
Tramadol is a narcotic medication, which means that in addition to being able to relieve pain it is able to induce a state of euphoria. If tramadol is taken repeatedly the brain will adapt to the changes in chemical levels that tramadol generates. This can result in a tolerance and dependence on a biochemical level. Tolerance means that the patient will need to take more and more of the medication to get not only the euphoric effects of tramadol but also any benefit that it has for pain. Biochemical dependence, on the other hand, causes symptoms of withdrawal and an increased desire for tramadol the patient goes for a long period of time without taking tramadol or some other narcotic drug. Tolerance and dependence are serious medical problems that can result in patients engaging in risky or criminal behavior. Serious health risks, such as respiratory depression or a fatal overdose can also occur in patients who become addicted to tramadol.
Gastrointestinal
Tramadol is a narcotic pain reliever, which means that it activates nerve cells that respond to opioids. One of the effects of activating these nerves is that the signals which activate the digestive system become blocked, which means that while tramadol is being taken, food passes through the digestive tract more slowly. Consequently, people taking tramadol for long periods of time may become constipated, Drugs.com notes, and may also develop nausea and vomiting. In some cases this medication can cause a lack of appetite which can, over time, result in weight loss.
Seizures
Tramadol can also cause patients to develop seizures. Patients can develop seizures if they are taking the recommended dose of the medication, RxList notes, but this risk is increased if the patient takes too much of the medication. Seizures may occur at any point during the course of tramadol treatment and the risk of seizure may be increased for patients taking antidepressants or who use other opioid drugs.
Liver Damage
Tramadol can also damage the liver, eMedTV reports. Liver damage can result in yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin due to jaundice. Liver toxicity may also cause the urine to be abnormally dark, easy bruising/bleeding, and fluid accumulation in the body. In the event of liver failure, confusion and a coma may result due to the buildup of toxins in the blood.
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