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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Adjunct/alternative analgesic for post-op or chronic pain; antitussive (dog)
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Adjunct/alternative analgesic for post-op or chronic pain; antitussive (dog) — Extra-label
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Adjunct/alternative analgesic for post-op or chronic pain; antitussive (dog) — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens4
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects203
Sedation — Most likely, generally well tolerated
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dysphoria, mydriasis, vomiting, unpalatability — Reported in ~25% of study cats
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Seizures — Rare, high-dose
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting823 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')697 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS502 reports
- Anorexia471 reports
- Diarrhoea454 reports
- Death by euthanasia408 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)354 reports
- Emesis324 reports
- Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP)306 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS300 reports
- Weight loss270 reports
- Decreased appetite257 reports
Cat
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')7 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS6 reports
- Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN)5 reports
- Anorexia4 reports
- Elevated creatinine4 reports
- Fever4 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS4 reports
- Neutrophilia4 reports
- Aggression3 reports
- Anaemia NOS3 reports
- Death3 reports
- Dilated pupils3 reports
Monitoring1
Clinical analgesic efficacy and sedation/behavioral effects (efficacy may be delayed up to 14 days in chronic pain)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Hypersensitivity to opioids; acetaminophen-combination products contraindicated in cats
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
Pre-existing seizure disorder; renal/hepatic impairment; other CNS/respiratory depressants; not a controlled substance in US but has human abuse potential
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Naloxone only partially reverses tramadol effects and may increase seizure risk in overdose — not a reliable full antidote.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Extended-release human tablets are not appropriate for dogs (erratic/reduced absorption) — never crush/split ER formulations.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Efficacy evidence in dogs for chronic/OA pain is inconsistent — best used as part of multimodal analgesia, not as sole agent.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions6
MAO inhibitors (incl. amitraz, possibly selegiline) — Serotonin syndrome risk — avoid
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
SSRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine) — ↓ tramadol metabolism to active metabolite; ↑ serotonin syndrome/seizure risk
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Tricyclics (clomipramine, amitriptyline) — ↑ seizure risk
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Ondansetron — May reduce efficacy of both drugs
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Quinidine — ↑ tramadol, ↓ M1 concentrations
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics6
Bioavailability — ~65% PO (dog, variable); ~60% (cat, study-dependent)
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Protein binding — Not prominently reported
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — ~1.0–2.7h (dog); ~2.5–4h parent, up to 4.5h M1 metabolite (cat)
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Extensive hepatic; M1 (O-desmethyltramadol) is the active metabolite
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Elimination — Renal (metabolites)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Human FDA category C; embryotoxic/fetotoxic in lab animals at 3–15x usual doses. Minimal levels in milk; safety in neonates not established.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1137–1139; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 800–831 (monograph pages 800–803) — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references7
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Hybrid green wall - ozonation system for greywater and rainwater reclamation in a residential building: technical performance and social insights.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Influence of Tramadol on the Intravenous Pharmacokinetics of Dipyrone Active Metabolites in Dogs.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Chrysin attenuates tramadol-driven renal dysfunction via regulation of RNA networks, antioxidant pathways, and ketogenic metabolism.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Exercise Training Ameliorates The Tramadol-Induced Toxicity on VEGF/VEGFRs/PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway in Testicular Tissue after Tramadol Withdrawal.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Behavioral and cardiorespiratory effects of a medetomidine and tramadol combination in horses.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.