How Long Does It Take for Tramadol to Work and Stay in Your System?
- Dec 11, 2022
- 7 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
You might be asking this because you have an upcoming employment screening, or perhaps you are curious about how long it takes to feel relief from chronic pain. Regardless of the reason, understanding the lifespan of this medication in your body is essential for safety and planning.
For most healthy adults, how long does it take for tramadol to work is usually 30 to 60 minutes, with effects peaking around 2 to 3 hours. However, tramadol is eliminated from your system within roughly 2 days of taking the drug, though it can be detected in hair for up to 90 days.
Table of Contents
What is Tramadol and How Does It Work?
What is tramadol? It is a synthetic opioid analgesic prescribed to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. Unlike traditional opioids like morphine, tramadol has a dual mechanism of action. It binds to the mu-opioid receptors in the brain while also inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. This unique profile is why it is often used for nerve pain and fibromyalgia.
When people ask, "Is tramadol a drug?" or "Is tramadol a narcotic?", the answer is yes. In the United States, it is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance. Common brand names include Ultram and ConZip. You may recognize it as a white tablet with an 627 or a white oblong pill with 377 printed on the side.
Onset: How Long Does It Take for Tramadol to Work?
If you are in pain, the most pressing question is how fast does tramadol work? The tramadol onset depends largely on the formulation you are taking.
Immediate-Release (IR): Usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to start working. These are often pills tramadol hcl 50 mg.
Extended-Release (ER): Designed to release the medication slowly over 24 hours. While you may feel some relief within the first hour, it takes longer to reach a steady state in the blood.
Tramadol Injection: In clinical settings, a shot of tramadol or tramadol inj works much faster, typically within minutes.
How Long Does Tramadol Last?
For a standard 50 mg tramadol dose, the pain-relieving effects usually last 4 to 6 hours. Extended-release versions like tramadol hcl er 100mg provide relief for up to 24 hours.
The Detection Timeline: Blood, Urine, Saliva, and Hair
When considering how long does tramadol stay in your system, you have to look at the specific "detection window" for various testing methods.
Test Type | Detection Window |
Urine (Pee Test) | 2 to 4 days (Most common) |
Blood Test | 12 to 24 hours |
Saliva (Mouth Swab) | Up to 48 hours |
Hair Follicle | Up to 90 days |
How Long is Tramadol Detected in Your Urine?
For most individuals, how long does tramadol stay in urine is between one to three days after the last dose. However, chronic users or those taking high doses like tramadol 200mg may test positive for up to 72 hours or slightly longer.
Blood and Saliva
How long does tramadol stay in your blood stream? It clears the blood relatively quickly. It is typically undetectable in a blood test after 24 hours. Similarly, a saliva test is effective for about up to 48 hours post-ingestion.
The Science of the Half-Life
To understand how to get tramadol out of your system, you must understand the half-life of tramadol. This is the time it takes for the concentration of the drug in your plasma to reduce by half.
Single Dose Half-Life: Approximately 6.3 hours.
Multiple Dose Half-Life: Increases to around 7 hours.
Full Clearance: It takes about five to six half-lives for a drug to be entirely eliminated.
Using the half-life tramadol math: 6.3 x 5 = 31.5 hours. This confirms why tramadol is eliminated from your system within roughly 2 days. However, the tramadol metabolites (the broken-down components like O-desmethyltramadol) stay in the urine longer than the parent drug stays in the blood.
7 Factors That Influence How Long Tramadol Stays in Your System
No two bodies are the same. Several variables determine how long tramadol remains in your system.
1. Organ Function
Does tramadol affect kidneys? Yes. Your kidneys and liver are responsible for filtering and excreting the drug. If you have liver damage or impaired organ function, the drug will linger. Is tramadol bad for your kidneys? It can be if not monitored, especially since decreased function slows down the clearance rate significantly.
2. Metabolism
Your basal metabolism rate dictates how quickly you process chemicals. "Fast metabolizers" may clear a 50mg tramadol dose much quicker than "slow metabolizers."
3. Age
As we get older, our metabolic processes naturally slow down. The half life of tramadol 50 mg can be longer in the elderly, sometimes extending the detection window by several hours.
4. Dosage and Frequency
There is a massive difference between taking a single tramal 25mg tablet and taking tramadol 100mg capsules multiple times a day. Dosage and frequency lead to accumulation in the body's tissues.
5. Formulation
Tramadol extended release (ER) stays in the system longer than the immediate release (IR) version because it is designed to stay in the blood for a full day.
6. Body Mass and BMI
While tramadol is not highly fat-soluble, overall body mass and hydration levels can influence how the body distributes and eventually excretes tramadol metabolites in urine.
7. Other Medications
Certain drugs interact with the liver enzymes (CYP2D6) that break down tramadol. For example, while there were no interactions found between metoprolol tartrate and tramadol, other medications can speed up or slow down the process.
Will Tramadol Show Up on a Drug Test?
A very common question on Reddit and Quora is: does tramadol show up on a drug test?
The answer is: It depends on the test.
Standard 5-Panel Test: Usually does not look for tramadol.
10-Panel or 12-Panel Test: Often includes an "expanded opioid" screen.
Specific Urinalysis: If an employer or clinician is specifically looking for it, tramadol metabolites in urine drug screen will be detected.
Will tramadol pop on a drug test as a false positive? Occasionally, it can cause a false positive for PCP on certain low-quality screens, but a follow-up lab test (GC/MS) will clarify the results.
Side Effects and Safety Warnings
What does tramadol do to the body? Beyond pain relief, it alters brain chemistry. This leads to several side effects of tramadol, many of which are similar to other opioids.
Common Side Effects:
Nausea and tramadol often go hand-in-hand.
Dizziness or feeling "sleepy." (Will tramadol make you sleepy? Yes, it is a common central nervous system depressant.)
Tramadol itching: Many users ask how to stop tramadol itching. This is usually a mild allergic-like reaction caused by histamine release.
Constipation: Like all opioids, it slows down the digestive tract.
Serious Risks:
Seizures: High doses (like 300mg tramadol or more) significantly increase seizure risk.
Serotonin Syndrome: Because it affects serotonin, taking it with other antidepressants can be dangerous.
Is tramadol hard on the kidneys? Chronic high-dose use can lead to renal stress.
Can I drive on tramadol? You should not drive until you know how the medication affects you. It can impair your coordination and reaction time.
Managing Tramadol Withdrawal
If you have been taking tramadol for back pain for a long time, you may face challenges when stopping. Can you withdraw from tramadol? Absolutely. Because of its antidepressant-like properties, the withdrawal can be more complex than other opioids.
How Long Does Tramadol Withdrawal Last?
How long do withdrawals from tramadol last?
Days 1–3: Symptoms like anxiety, sweating, and tramadol sweats begin.
Days 4–7: Physical symptoms like nausea and tremors peak.
Week 2 and beyond: Psychological symptoms like "brain zaps" or depression may linger.
How to Taper Off Tramadol
Never stop "cold turkey." Talk to a doctor about a tramadol weaning schedule. Learning how to get off tramadol safely usually involves slowly reducing your dose from 100 mg tramadol down to 25 mg over several weeks.
Need Help with Tramadol Dependency?
If you are worried about how long tramadol stays in your system because you find it impossible to stop using it, help is available. Tramadol dependency is a medical condition, not a moral failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
• How long does it take for tramadol to work for nerve pain?
For nerve pain, you might feel a slight reduction in discomfort within an hour, but the full therapeutic benefit often takes a few days of consistent dosing to stabilize the nerves.
• Can I take 2 tramadol 50 mg at once?
A standard dose can be 100mg, but you must only follow the specific dosage for tramadol prescribed by your doctor. Taking more than prescribed increases the risk of respiratory depression and seizures.
• Does tramadol have acetaminophen in it?
Standard tramadol HCL does not. However, a combination drug called Ultracet contains both tramadol and acetaminophen.
• How long does tramadol stay in your system for breastfeeding?
Tramadol does pass into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, consult a doctor. The drug can stay in the milk for as long as it is in your bloodstream, roughly 24 to 48 hours.
• What is the pill 377?
The pill 377 is a common identifier for tramadol hcl 50mg. It is a white oval pill often used for moderate pain management.
• How to get tramadol out of your system quickly?
To help your body process the drug, stay hydrated and support liver health. However, there is no "magic" way to get it out of your system quickly to beat a drug test. Your metabolism and the drug's half-life are the primary factors.
At Chateau Health and Wellness Treatment Center, we understand the challenges of dealing with pain and the risks associated with medications like Tramadol. Our team is committed to providing a supportive and comprehensive approach to treatment, focusing not only on detoxification but also on long-term recovery and well-being. We are here to partner with you on your journey to a healthier future, and we offer a range of personalized programs designed to address your unique needs. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are ready to help. Contact us today at (801) 877-1272 to learn more about our services and how we can support you.
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About The Author
Ben Pearson, LCSW - Clinical Director
With 19 years of experience, Ben Pearson specializes in adolescent and family therapy, de-escalation, and high-risk interventions. As a former Clinical Director of an intensive outpatient program, he played a key role in clinical interventions and group therapy. With 15+ years in wilderness treatment and over a decade as a clinician, Ben has helped countless individuals and families navigate mental health and recovery challenges.
