Acetaminophen And Tramadol Consumer Information

acetaminophen and tramadol

Generic Name: acetaminophen and tramadol (a SEET a MIN o fen and TRAM a dol)
Brand Names: Ultracet

What is acetaminophen and tramadol?

Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever.

Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of tramadol.

The combination of acetaminophen and tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Acetaminophen and tramadol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about acetaminophen and tramadol?

Tell your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.

Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking acetaminophen and tramadol. You may be more likely to have a seizure while taking acetaminophen and tramadol if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, a brain or spinal cord infection, or if you are taking certain medicines. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk of having a seizure.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen and tramadol?

• alcohol;

• narcotic pain medicine;

• sedatives or tranquilizers (such as Valium);

• medicine for depression or anxiety;

• medicine for mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia); or

• street drugs.

Tell your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.

Seizures have occurred in some people taking acetaminophen and tramadol. Your risk of a seizure may be higher if you have any of these conditions:

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction;

• a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• a history of head injury;

• a metabolic disorder;

• an infection of your brain or spinal cord, such as meningitis or encephalitis;

• if you are also taking an antidepressant, mood stabilizer, or another narcotic pain medicine; or

• if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.

Talk with your doctor about your individual risk of having a seizure.

Before taking acetaminophen and tramadol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;

• liver disease;

• asthma or other breathing disorder;

• a stomach disorder; or

• a history of depression, mental illness, or suicide attempt.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

How should I take acetaminophen and tramadol?

Take acetaminophen and tramadol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Acetaminophen and tramadol can be taken with or without food, but take it the same way each time.

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?

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, extreme weakness, cold or clammy skin, stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes, feeling light-headed, fainting, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen and tramadol?

Acetaminophen and tramadol side effects

• seizure (convulsions);

• a red, blistering, peeling skin rash; or

• shallow breathing, weak pulse.

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, weakness;

• nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite;

• blurred vision;

• flushing (redness, warmth, or tingly feeling); or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What other drugs will affect acetaminophen and tramadol?

Before taking acetaminophen and tramadol, tell your doctor if you also use:

• carbamazepine (Tegretol);

• warfarin (Coumadin);

• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

• ketoconazole (Nizoral);

• erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab);

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);

• St. John's wort;

• quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Cardioquin, Quinora); or

• an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor); paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with acetaminophen and 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.