An overdose on any medication is a serious problem because it has numerous health effects that might occur. An overdose on tramadol is a major problem. The potential results include problems breathing, coma, seizures, heart attacks and even death in the worst case scenario.

If an overdose occurs, such as taking too many pills too quickly, accidentally biting an extended release pill or otherwise taking too high a dosage, immediate medical attention is necessary to prevent death.

Signs of an overdose include feeling extremely tired, cold or clammy feeling skin, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, a slower than normal heartbeat, light-headedness, dizziness, fainting, seizures, a heart attack or coma. If you experience any of these feelings or you notice someone who is taking the medication has this reaction, go to the emergency room immediately.

In the emergency room, doctors might induce vomiting, pump the stomach, provide an antidote like naloxene or provide treatment for the symptoms such as monitoring heart rate and providing assistance breathing, depending on the situation and the needs of the patient.

Induced vomiting and pumping the stomach are only available if the doctor sees a patient immediately after overdosing. If the medication is into the blood system and no longer in the stomach, an antidote is provided and the doctors monitor symptoms.

At this point, the doctors work to deal with the potentially dangerous symptoms as they occur until patients are no longer in danger. The sooner treatment begins, the higher the chances of surviving a tramadol overdose.