Can a Doctor Prescribe Tramadol Through Telehealth?
The short answer is, sometimes, yes. But it is not as simple as making an appointment via video conference, having a doctor write you a prescription, and having that prescription mailed to your local pharmacy.
Why Tramadol Is Treated Differently
The U.S. has classified Tramadol as a controlled drug in Schedule IV. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). While it is a lower schedule than certain drugs such as oxycodone, it can be addictive, misused and can cause overdoses. However, because of this, it is regulated by both federal and state laws when used with telehealth.
A face-to-face examination is mandated by Federal law before a controlled substance prescription can be written. The rules have been continually adjusted and additional bans have been passed in other states. It is recommended to hold off on reserving a spot until you have reviewed the guidelines of the State Medical Board and the DEA.
What a Legitimate Telehealth Visit Looks Like
You don’t have to endure a “formality” with a real telehealth visit. The clinician must be licensed in your state and must treat this appointment as any other medical appointment. Expect questions about:
The location of the pain, how long it has been present and whether it is a persistent or intermittent pain.
- Previous injuries, surgeries and other medical conditions
- Alcohol and other substance use
- How you’ve responded to pain medicines before
- What steps have you taken up to now to eliminate the pain?
The doctor will decide whether or not he/she would prescribe tramadol for treating your pain based on your answers to the questions asked. They might suggest a different treatment or suggest that you come in for an examination or test before beginning treatment. Either of those responses is normal and none indicates that the visit was deemed a failure.
Why Many Doctors Hold Off on Opioids
There is no suggestion that opioids are the optimal treatment when pain is truly present. According to the CDC, people with pain lasting more than a few weeks should consider other treatment options besides taking an opioid. This may involve anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, exercise, heat or treatment of the underlying cause.
So when a doctor recommends other than tramadol, he is not being dismissive, but he is doing what is considered best practice.
The Safety Issues Worth Understanding
Taking tramadol can lead you to be feeling drowsy, dizzy, vomiting (nausea), constipated (have problem passing stool), and/or confused. More severe complications are slowed breathing, seizures, and serotonin syndrome, which is an excessive amount of serotonin activity in the body.
Serotonin is one of the main drivers of medication reviews, or the reason for a review. Some medicines which include SSRIs, SNRIs and tricyclic antidepressants may be suitable to use with Tramadol.
If they ask you about any other medicines, tell them all. A second factor that can easily make an undesirable mix is by neglecting to take an over sleeping aid or antidepressant because the medication appears useless.
Getting Ready for Your Appointment
Prep will make the visit much more valuable, if a few minutes can be devoted.
Write down your medications– Add names, dosages, and frequency of use; supplements; and other medications prescribed by another physician.
Describe the pain specifically- The complaint, “my lower back hurts” is a beginning, but “sharp pain on the right side that increases in pain when sitting for more than an hour” will give the clinician a starting point.
Share your history honestly- Tramadol may or may not be safe depending on its individual medical history – breathing problems, liver and kidney disease, mental problems, seizures and history of drug and alcohol abuse.
Bring questions- Inquire if an opioid is necessary, what options are available, the duration of time that the opioid would need to be used, possible side effects, and when to check back.
Red Flags in Online Services
Not all online doctors’ websites are reputable sites. Beware of any service that:
- Gives children more than prescribed dosage of Tramadol
- Asks permission before looking at your health information
- Will waive the requirement for prescription
- Delivers excessive amounts of pressure
- Offers limited background on its own clinicians and/or its pharmacy partners
- Sneaks you with seemingly reasonable order that you feel you have to accept
If payment and shipping are all they’re interested in and not much or less about your health, then get the heck out of here. It is not how a store operates, it’s how a medical practice operates.
When to Get Help Right Away
If someone using tramadol experiences extreme difficulty breathing, cannot stay awake or faints, call 911 (or local emergency number) immediately. Go to an emergency room for seizures, or if you notice any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome: restlessness; confusion; high body temperature; involuntary movement of muscles; stiff muscles; fast heart rate.
Ask your doctor whether you should receive naloxone if he or she has prescribed an opioid for you. As per the CDC, in such cases where there is a risk of an overdose, it is usually good to give them naloxone as a precaution.
Never give away your Tramadol no matter if they have pain like you or not.
A Couple of Errors to Steer Clear Of
Avoid thinking about telemedicine as a “way around” seeing a doctor. Rather, it is a means to go to a physician.
The Bottom Line
In some cases, a doctor may be licensed to prescribe tramadol by telehealth in an authentic assessment, for legal reasons set by the federal and state governments. A reliable provider will ask lots of questions, check your medications, discuss risks and plan for follow-up.
If you are thinking about it, it’s important to find out what is permitted in your state, collect medical and medication information, and pick a service that regards the visit as real medical treatment. The best outcome isn’t necessarily getting tramadol. It’s the treatment you need.