What is the 58 TV Pill? Everything You Need To Know

What you will learn

• Accurate identification of medications is essential for ensuring safety, as consuming the wrong medication can lead to adverse reactions and harmful drug interactions.
• The "58 TV pill” contains tramadol hydrochloride and is used primarily for managing moderate to severe pain, but misuse can lead to addiction, overdose, and other serious consequences.
• Identifying a "58 TV pill” includes checking the imprints, consulting with healthcare professionals, and comparing against prescription or manufacturer information.
• Tramadol has various medical uses, including pain management for conditions such as osteoarthritis and neuropathic pain.
• The misuse of tramadol can lead to physical dependence, respiratory depression, central nervous system effects, serotonin syndrome, and withdrawal symptoms.

Accurately identifying medications before taking them is crucial for ensuring your safety. Mistakenly consuming the wrong medication can lead to adverse reactions and inadequate treatment for your medical conditions.

By verifying medication imprints and pill markings, you can reduce the risk of medication errors and potentially fatal consequences, keeping you and your loved ones safe from potential health complications.

What is the ‘58 TV’ Pill?

The 58 TV pill is a form of pain medication containing tramadol hydrochloride (HCL), an opioid-based prescription primarily used for managing moderate to severe pain.[1] The nominal dosage of a single 58 TV pill is 50 milligrams.

Tramadol-based medications, including the 58 TV pill, are classified by the FDA as Schedule IV controlled substances due to their potential for abuse and dependency.[2] The substance increases the levels of serotonin and should not be taken with other medications that do the same (antidepressants, sedatives, MDM, SSRIs, etc.), either prescription drugs or over-the-counter.

Misusing tramadol, such as taking it without a prescription, selling it, or sharing it with others, can lead to serious consequences. Individuals using the 58 TV pill or any form of tramadol should be aware of the associated risks, including addiction and overdose.

How Can I Identify a 58 TV Pill?

To identify a pill with the imprint “58 TV,” you can follow these steps:[3]

• Check the imprint: Examine the pill closely to locate the imprint, usually with ‘TV’ on one side and ‘58’ on the other. Pills imprinted with 5058 (instead of 58) for the number are likely Atorvastatin, a medication used to lower cholesterol.[4]
• Research the pill online: Several websites and apps offer pill identification tools that allow you to input the imprint, shape, and color of the pill to identify it, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website.[5]
• Consult with a pharmacist or healthcare provider: If you need help identifying the pill using online resources, consider taking it to a pharmacist or healthcare provider for assistance. They have the expertise to help you identify medications accurately.
• Compare against prescriptions: If you have a prescription for tramadol or any other medication with a similar imprint, compare the pill with your prescribed medication to see if they match.
• Verify the pill with the manufacturer’s website: Some pharmaceutical companies provide online resources where you can verify the appearance of their medications, including imprints. Check the manufacturer’s website associated with the “58 TV” imprint if available.

Which Medications May Have the 58 TV Imprint?

The 58 TV imprint typically corresponds to a specific, generic form of tramadol hydrochloride. Different manufacturers often produce tramadol, and each may use a unique imprint to identify their product.

Forms of tramadol that may bear the 58 TV imprint may also include generic versions. This imprint identifies the manufacturer and specific formulation of the tramadol pill. It’s important to note that the appearance of medications, including their imprints, can vary depending on the manufacturer, dosage strength, and formulation (immediate-release or extended-release).

What Are the Medical Uses for 58 TV Pills?

58 TV/tramadol pills are prescribed for various medical uses, primarily to manage pain of various types:[6]

• Pain management: Tramadol is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. It can be prescribed for acute pain following surgery or injury, as well as for chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain.
• Chronic pain conditions: Tramadol may be prescribed for long-term pain management in conditions such as chronic back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer-related pain.
• Neuropathic pain: Tramadol is sometimes used to treat neuropathic pain, which is caused by damage or dysfunction of the nerves. This includes conditions like diabetic neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain following shingles).
• Postoperative pain: Tramadol can be used as part of multimodal analgesia for pain relief after surgical procedures. It may be prescribed alone or in combination with other analgesic medications.
• Off-label uses: In some cases, tramadol may be prescribed off-label for conditions not specifically approved by regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This may include conditions such as restless legs syndrome (RLS) or premature ejaculation.

It’s important to note that tramadol should be used only under the guidance of a healthcare professional and according to the prescribed dosage and instructions. Misuse or overuse of tramadol can lead to serious health concerns and effects. Side effects of tramadol include addiction, respiratory depression, and overdose.

What Can Happen if 58 TV Pills/Tramadol Are Misused?

Misuse of 58 TV pills or tramadol can have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences.[7] Like other opioids, tramadol can lead to physical dependence and compulsive drug-seeking behavior when misused by taking higher doses or using it more frequently than prescribed. Additionally, don’t take tramadol in excessive amounts or in combination with other substances, particularly other opioids or central nervous system depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines. These can pose an increased risk of overdose. A Tramadol overdose can result in respiratory depression (breathing problems), coma, and even death.

Respiratory depression is a particular risk associated with tramadol misuse.[8] This condition involves slowed or shallow breathing and can be life-threatening, especially when tramadol is taken in high doses or with other respiratory depressants.

Misusing tramadol can also lead to various central nervous system effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and impaired coordination. These effects can impair one’s ability to perform tasks requiring mental alertness, such as driving or operating machinery.

Tramadol’s properties can also lead to serotonin syndrome when misused or combined with other serotonergic-based medications.[9] Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by symptoms such as agitation, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, fever, sweating, tremors, and, in severe cases, seizures and coma.

Finally, abruptly discontinuing tramadol after prolonged use or misuse can result in withdrawal symptoms, which can be distressing and contribute to continued misuse or relapse.[10]These symptoms may include anxiety, agitation, insomnia, sweating, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms.

Given these serious risks, it is crucial to use tramadol only as prescribed by a healthcare professional and to avoid misuse. If you or someone you know is struggling with tramadol misuse or addiction, seeking help from a healthcare provider or addiction treatment specialist is essential for safe detox and improved health outcomes.

Why It’s Important to Accurately Identify Your Pills Before Taking Them

Accurately identifying pills before approved medical usage is crucial for several reasons:[11]

• Safety: Ensuring that the correct medication is being taken is essential for your safety. Mistakenly taking the wrong medication can lead to adverse reactions, drug interactions, or other serious health consequences.
• Efficacy: Different medications are prescribed for specific conditions based on their therapeutic effects. Using the wrong medication may not effectively treat the intended condition, leading to persistent symptoms and potentially worsening health outcomes.
• Dosage accuracy: Pills may come in different strengths and formulations. Taking the wrong dosage of a medication can result in under-treatment or over-treatment of a condition, both of which can have negative implications for your health.
• Allergies and sensitivities: Some people may have allergies or sensitivities to certain medications or ingredients. Accurate pill identification prevents healthcare providers from prescribing medications that could trigger allergic reactions or other adverse effects.
• Preventing medication errors: Accurate pill identification helps prevent medication errors, which can occur during prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications. These errors can have serious consequences for your well-being.
• Legal and regulatory compliance: Healthcare professionals must adhere to legal and regulatory standards regarding prescribing and administering medications. Ensuring accurate pill identification helps maintain compliance with these standards.

Get Started on the Road to Recovery

Struggling with tramadol addiction (or any substance use issues) can feel isolating, but you’re not alone. Our caring and knowledgeable team is here to provide you with the guidance, support, and resources you need to overcome addiction and build a brighter future. Contact us now to start your journey towards recovery and wellness.

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more