Tramadol
Active ingredient: Tramadol hydrochloride
Opioid painkiller for moderate to severe pain in dogs.
Form
Tablet
Strength
50mg
What it's used for
For the reduction of acute and chronic mild soft tissue and musculoskeletal pain.
Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.
Paying less for Tramadol hydrochloride
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1
Ask your vet for a written prescription
They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
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2
Fill it at a registered online retailer
The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.
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Prescription required
Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.
Tramadol — SPC Details
Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 27 Mar 2026.
The recommended dose is 2-4 mg tramadol hydrochloride per kg body weight every 8
hours or as needed based on the intensity of pain.
Minimum dosing interval is 6 hours. The recommended maximum daily dose is
16 mg/kg. As the individual response to tramadol is variable and depends partly on the
dosage, the age of the patient, individual differences in pain sensitivity and general
condition, the optimal dosing regimen should be individually tailored using the above
dose and re-treatment interval ranges. The dog should be examined regularly by a
veterinarian to assess if additional analgesia is subsequently required. Additional
analgesia can be administered by increasing the tramadol dose until the maximum
daily dose is reached, and/or by following a multimodal analgesic approach with the
addition of other suitable analgesics.
Tablets can be divided into 2 or 4 equal parts to ensure accurate dosing. Place the
tablet on a flat surface, with its scored side facing up.
2 equal parts: press down with your thumbs on both sides of the tablet.
4 equal parts: press down with your thumb in the middle of the tablet.
Do not administer to dogs being treated with tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine
oxidase inhibitors and serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Do not use in animals with epilepsy.
given.
Nausea and vomiting have uncommonly been observed in dogs after administration of
tramadol.
In rare cases hypersensitivity can occur. In cases of hypersensitivity reactions,
treatment should be discontinued.
In very rare cases tramadol may induce convulsions in dogs with a low seizure
threshold.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s)
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports)
due to individual differences in the metabolism of the drug to the primary active
metabolite O-desmethyltramadol. In some dogs (non-responders) this may result in the
product failing to provide analgesia. For chronic pain, multimodal analgesia should be
considered. Dogs should be monitored regularly by a veterinarian to ensure adequate
pain relief. In case of recurrence of pain or insufficient analgesia the analgesic protocol
may need to be reconsidered.
Issued: January 2022
AN: 01153/2018
Special precautions for use in animals
Use with caution in dogs with renal or hepatic impairment. In dogs with hepatic
impairment the metabolism of tramadol to the active metabolites may be decreased
which may reduce the efficacy of the product. One of the active metabolites of tramadol
is renally excreted and therefore in dogs with renal impairment the dosing regimen
used may need to be adjusted. Renal and hepatic function should be monitored when
using this product. Cessation of long-term analgesic therapy should be done gradually
whenever possible.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal
product to animals
Accidental ingestion of this product may be harmful, especially to children. Tramadol
may cause sedation, nausea and dizziness.
If smaller quantities of tablets are dispensed from the pack, they must be supplied in a
container with a child-resistant closure.
To avoid accidental ingestion by a child, the cap of the container must be securely
engaged at all times. Tablets to be administered must not be left unattended and
unused part tablets should be returned to the container.
In case of accidental ingestion, particularly by children, seek medical advice
immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician. Do not drive as
sedation may occur.
People with known hypersensitivity to tramadol should avoid contact with the veterinary
medicinal product.
Wash hands after use.
may potentiate the CNS and respiratory depressant effects.
Tramadol can increase the effect of drugs that lower the seizure threshold.
Drugs that inhibit (e.g. cimetidine and erythromycin) or induce (e.g. carbamazepine)
CYP450 mediated metabolism may have an effect on the analgesic effect of tramadol.
The clinical relevance of these interactions has not been studied in dogs.
The combination with mixed agonist/antagonists (e.g. buprenorphine, butorphanol)
and tramadol is not advisable, because the analgesic effect of a pure agonist may be
theoretically reduced in such circumstances.
See also section 4.3.
Store in the original container to protect from moisture.
Half or quarter tablets should be replaced back into the original container and should be
given at the next administration.
5.
This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.
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Available Pack Sizes
Other Products Containing Tramadol hydrochloride
These products share the same active ingredient and may be suitable alternatives. Always consult your vet.
Tralieve 20 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs
POM-VDechra Regulatory B.V.
Tralieve 20 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs
POM-VDechra Regulatory BV
Tralieve 50 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs
POM-VLe Vet Beheer B.V.
Tralieve 50 mg/ml Solution for Injection for Dogs
POM-VLe Vet Beheer B.V.
Tralieve 80 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs
POM-VDechra Regulatory B.V.
Tralieve 80 mg Chewable Tablets for Dogs
POM-VDechra Regulatory BV
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