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Ultram
This page contains drug information on Ultram.
The information provided includes the following:
what is Ultram
the possible side effects of Ultram
what happens if you miss a dose of Ultram
what happens if you overdose with Ultram
the most important information about Ultram
how to use Ultram
other drugs that may affect Ultram
what to avoid while using Ultram
Generic Name: tramadol (TRAM a doll)
Brand Names: Ultram
What is the most important information I should know about tramadol?
You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
Take tramadol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Do not take more than 300 milligrams of tramadol in one day.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. A tramadol overdose can be fatal. Symptoms of a tramadol overdose may include drowsiness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma.
Do not crush the tramadol tablet. 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 inhlation or injection can cause life-threatening side effects, overdose, or death.
Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking tramadol. You may be more likely to have a seizure while using tramadol if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, or if you are taking certain medicines such as antidepressants, muscle relaxers, or medicine for nausea and vomiting.
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking tramadol. Alcohol may cause a dangerous decrease in your breathing when used together with tramadol.
Avoid using drugs that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, other pain medications, muscle relaxants, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). These drugs may slow your breathing or increase drowsiness when used together with tramadol.
Tramadol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What is tramadol?
Tramadol is a narcotic pain reliever.
Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
Tramadol may also be used for purposes other than those listed here.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tramadol?
You should not take tramadol if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol, or if you have a history of seizures (convulsions).
Seizures have occurred in some people taking tramadol. Your risk of seizures from tramadol may be higher if you have any of these conditions:
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a history of head injury;
a metabolic disorder; or
a history of dexotification from drugs or alcohol.
You may also have an increased risk of seizures from tramadol if you use any of the following medications:
promethazine (Phenergan) or prochlorperazine (Compazine);
cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril);
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or citalopram (Celexa); or
a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), and others.
If you use any of these medications, or have any of the conditions listed above, you may be more likely to have a seizure from this medicine. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk.
FDA pregnancy category C: This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby and should not be used by a woman who is pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.
Tramadol may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing infant. Do not take tramadol without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of tramadol. If you are over 65, your doctor may recommend a lower dose.
Tramadol should not be given to a child younger than 16 years of age.
How should I take tramadol?
Take tramadol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Do not crush the tramadol tablet. 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 inhlation or injection can cause life-threatening side effects, overdose, or death.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Do not take more than 300 milligrams of tramadol in one day.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Tramadol can be taken with or without food.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
Store tramadol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. A tramadol overdose can be fatal.
Symptoms of a tramadol overdose may include drowsiness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma.
What should I avoid while taking tramadol?
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking tramadol. Alcohol may cause a dangerous decrease in your breathing when used together with tramadol.
Tramadol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid using drugs that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, other pain medications, muscle relaxants, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). These drugs may slow your breathing or increase drowsiness when used together with tramadol.
What are the possible side effects of tramadol?
Tramadol may be habit-forming, and you may become physically or psychologically addicted to it. Tell your doctor if you feel the medicine is no longer relieving your pain as well as before. Do not increase your dose without asking your doctor.
If you suddenly stop using tramadol after taking it for a long time, you may have withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremors, chills, hallucinations, trouble sleeping, or breathing problems. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these withdrawal symptoms after you stop using tramadol.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using tramadol and call your doctor at once if you have a seizure (convulsions).
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely. Continue taking tramadol and talk to your doctor if you have: dizziness, weakness, sleepiness; nausea, vomiting, constipation, lost appetite; itchy skin; flushing (redness, warmth, or tingly feeling); sleep problems (insomnia); or increased sweating.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect tramadol?
Before taking tramadol, tell your doctor if you also use:
carbamazepine (Tegretol);
warfarin (Coumadin); or
digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps).
ketoconazole (Nizoral);
erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab);
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);
St. John's wort;
quinidine (Quinaglute Dura-Tabs, Cardioquin, Quinora); or
drugs that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, other pain medications, muscle relaxants, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety).
Do not take tramadol without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect tramadol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
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