How should I take tramadol?

Take tramadol exactly as prescribed. Never take tramadol in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.
Tramadol can be taken with or without food, but take it the same way each time.
Do not crush, chew, or break a tramadol tablet. Swallow it whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. This medicine is for oral (by mouth) use only. Powder from a crushed tablet should not be inhaled or diluted with liquid and injected into the body. Using this medicine by inhalation or injection can cause life-threatening side effects, overdose, or death.

To take tramadol orally disintegrating tablets (Rybix ODT):

• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it.
  
• Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.
  
• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.
  
• Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.
  

If you use the tramadol extended-release tablet, the tablet shell may pass into your stools (bowel movements). This is normal and does not mean that you are not receiving enough of the medicine.
Do not stop using tramadol suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.
Store tramadol at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Tramadol is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.