Ultram
Brand name:Ultram
Pronounced: UL-tram
Generic name: Tramadol hydrochloride
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Why is Ultram
prescribed?
Ultram is prescribed to relieve moderate
to moderately severe pain.
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Most important fact about Ultram
You should not drive a car, operate machinery, or perform any other
potentially hazardous activities until you know how ultram
affects you.
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How should you take Ultram?
It's important to take Ultram exactly
as prescribed. Do not increase the dosage or length of time you
take Ultram without your doctor's approval.
--If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. 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 information...
Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature.
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What side effects may occur?
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in
intensity, tell your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor
can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Ultram.
More common side effects may 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
Less common side effects may include:
Abdominal pain, confusion, coordination problems, feeling of illness,
flushing, frequent urination, inability to urinate, loss of appetite,
menopausal symptoms, rash, sleeping problems, visual problems
Rare side effects may include:
Accidental injury, allergic reaction, altered taste, amnesia, coma,
difficult or labored breathing, difficulty concentrating, dizziness
or light-headedness upon standing, fainting, feeling of "pins
and needles," fever, heightened reflexes, hives, menstrual
problems, mental sluggishness or clouding, painful urination, rapid
heartbeat, seizures, shivering, seizures, suicidal tendencies, weight
loss
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Why should Ultram
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.
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Special warnings about Ultram
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 this drug.
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.
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Possible food and drug interactions
when taking Ultram
Ultram may increase the drowsiness
caused by alcohol. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
Avoid Ultram, too, if you are taking
the seizure medication Tegretol.
If Ultram is taken with certain other
drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered.
It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining
Ultram with 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)
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Special information
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, tell your doctor immediately.
Ultram appears in breast milk and
may affect a nursing infant. If Ultram
is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue
breastfeeding until your treatment is finished.
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Recommended dosage
ADULTS
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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
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Safety and effectiveness in children under 16 years of age have
not been established.
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Overdosage
An overdose of Ultram can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose,
seek emergency medical treatment immediately.
Symptoms of Ultram overdose include:
Difficult or slowed breathing, drowsiness, coma, seizures, cardiac
arrest
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