Tramadol Hydrochloride Information

Tramadol Hydrochloride

Generic name: Tramadol Hydrochloride
Brand names: Ultram

Why Tramadol Hydrochloride is prescribed

Ultram is prescribed to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain.

The most important facts about Tramadol Hydrochloride

You should not drive a car, operate machinery, or perform any other potentially hazardous activities until you know how Tramadol Hydrochloride affects you.

How you should take Tramadol Hydrochloride

It's important to take Ultram exactly as prescribed. Do not increase the dosage or length of time you take Tramadol Hydrochloride without your doctor's approval.

If you miss a dose

If you have forgotten to take a dose, take it as soon as you recall. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at once.

Storage instructions

Store $drug in a tightly closed container at room temperature.

Side effects may be caused by Tramadol hydrochloride

A drug cannot anticipate producing side effects. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor only can determine whether it is safe for you to continue taking Ultram.

• More common possible effects include:
  Agitation, anxiety, bloating and gas, constipation, convulsive movements, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, feeling of elation, hallucinations, headache, indigestion, itching, nausea, nervousness, sweating, tremor, vomiting, weakness

When Tramadol Hydrochloride should not be prescribed

Avoid Ultram if it has ever given you an allergic reaction. Also avoid Ultram after taking large doses of sleeping pills such as Halcion, Dalmane, and Restoril; narcotic pain relievers such as Demerol, morphine, Darvon, and Percocet; or psychotherapeutic drugs such as antidepressants and tranquilizers. And do not take Ultram after drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

Special warnings about Tramadol Hydrochloride

If you have stomach problems such as an ulcer, make sure your doctor is aware of them. Ultram may hide the symptoms, making them difficult to diagnose and treat.

Ultram can cause mental and physical addiction. If you've ever had a problem with narcotic painkillers such as Percocet, Demerol, or morphine, you should avoid Tramadol Hydrochloride. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you stop taking Ultram abruptly. Such symptoms include anxiety, sweating, insomnia, pain, nausea, tremor, diarrhea, and respiratory problems. A gradual decrease in dosage will help prevent these symptoms.

Do not take more than the recommended dose of Ultram, since larger doses have been known to cause seizures, especially if you have epilepsy or are taking medications that also increase the risk of seizures. Among such medications are almost all antidepressant drugs, plus narcotics and major tranquilizers such as Loxitane and Stelazine.

If you have liver or kidney disease, be sure your doctor knows about it. Your dosage may have to be reduced.

Before you have any kind of surgery, make sure the doctor knows you are taking Ultram.

If you have any kind of breathing problem, use Ultram with caution or take a different kind of painkiller. Ultram can impair respiration, especially if taken with alcohol.

If you have experienced a head injury, consult your doctor before taking Ultram. The medication's effects may be stronger and could hide warning signs of serious trouble.

Food and drugs that may interact with Tramadol Hydrochloride

Ultram may increase the drowsiness caused by alcohol. You should not drink alcohol while taking Tramadol Hydrochloride.

Avoid Ultram, too, if you are taking the seizure medication Tegretol.

If you take Ultram with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is extremely important to check with your doctor before combining Ultram with any of the following:

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
Drugs known as MAO inhibitors, including the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate
Serotonin-boosting antidepressants such as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft
"Tricyclic" antidepressants such as Elavil, Norpramin, and Tofranil
Major tranquilizers such as Thorazine and Stelazine
Narcotic pain relievers (Demerol, morphine, Darvon, Percocet)
Promethazine (Mepergan, Phenergan)
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Sleeping pills (Halcion, Dalmane, Restoril)
Tranquilizers (Valium, Xanax)

Special precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

There have been reports of serious harm to developing babies when Ultram was used during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, let your doctor know immediately.

Ultram appears in breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. If Tramadol Hydrochloride is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment is finished.

Recommended dosage of Tramadol hydrochloride

ADULTS

The usual starting dose for chronic pain is 25 milligrams once a day in the morning. The daily dosage is then increased every 3 days until it reaches 200 milligrams taken in four doses of 50 milligrams each. After the phase-in period, Ultram may be taken in doses of 50 to 100 milligrams every 4 to 6 hours, depending on the severity of pain. If rapid pain relief is needed, the phase-in steps can be skipped, though side effects will be more likely. The maximum dosage under any circumstances is 400 milligrams a day (300 milligrams for those over age 75).

For people with kidney problems, the usual starting dose is 50 to 100 milligrams every 12 hours; and the maximum per day is 200 milligrams. For those with cirrhosis, the usual dose is 50 milligrams every 12 hours.

CHILDREN

Safety and effectiveness in children under 16 years of age have not been established.

Overdosage

An overdose of Ultram can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.

• Some symptoms of Ultram overdose are listed below:
  Difficult or slowed breathing, drowsiness, coma, seizures, cardiac arrest