I tend to always start with half doses of things. Tramadol is pretty strong and different people are effected 'differently" Unfortunatly it's one of the few things I can take but a half pill works fine. But once in awhile it makes me feel off, even high. Years ago I gave my mother a pill to try and it did a number on her. However later her doctor prescribed it and she started with a half. By the end of her life she was taking 2 pills every four hours for ostio arthritis. I can't even imagine that.