Ultram Overview

 

Ultram is an opiate agonist, used as a pain reliever. It is also available under other names like Tramadol and Ultracet (combination with acetaminophen)

 

Ultram and its uses

Ultram belongs to the group of drugs know as o piate agonists. O piate agonists are a cl ass of synthetic opium derivatives. They reduce pain by activating certain receptors in the body and cause sedation or stupor, making the body insensitive to pain. It is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. Ultram is a slow-release or extended-release tablet. Its use is indicated only in conditions of constant pain which needs around–the-clock, long lasting pain relievers.

 

Certain guidelines to be followed while taking Ultram medication

When using Ultram, exercise some caution, as carelessness may result in severe problems.

 

Dosage and consumption of the medicine

Ultram is to be taken orally with or without food.

 

Regular tablets can be taken with a time interval of 4-6 hours, between two doses.

 

Extended-release tablets which have a long lasting effect need to taken orally, just one per day. A time gap of 24 hours should be maintained between 2 doses. Take either with or without food but stick to same regimen through out.

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew, crush or snort (inhale powder from crushed tablet) or inject the dissolved tablets. Trying any other

Non recommended method of administering the drug can be fatal

 

Stick to the prescribed dosage. Never exceed or lessen the prescribed dosage by yourself, since doing so may be fatal. The drug may be habit forming if the dosage or the period of medication exceeds the prescribed limits. Therefore stick to your doctor’s advice on increasing or lowering the dosage. Inform the doctor if you experience any mood changes.

Your doctor is likely to start you on a small dose of Ultram and gradually increase the amount of medication to not more often than every 3 days, in case of the regular tablets or every 5 days in case of the extended-release tablets.

Don’t stop medication all at once: Since Ultra is habit forming it can cause withdrawal effects if the medication is stopped all at once following a long course or high-dose treatment. Therefore talk to your doctor who would suggest reducing the drug intake gradually and then stopping it completely.

Withdrawal symptoms include nervousness; panic; sweating; loss of sleep,; runny nose, sneezing, or cough; numbness, pain, burning, or tingling in your hands or feet; hair standing on end; chills; nausea; uncontrollable tremors; diarrhea; and infrequently hallucinations (seeing or hearing voices that do not exist).

 

Watch out for side effects. Ultram results in mild to severe side effects. In case of milder side effects, continue with the drug but make sure to see your doctor.
Mild side effects may manifest as ,sleepiness, fatigue, light headedness, sleep problems, anxiety, behavior changes, tremors, stiffness of muscles, nervousness, indigestion, itching, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dryness of mouth, sweating.

 

If you experience severe side effects, then seek help from your doctor, at once. See your doctor before continuing with the next dosage. Severe side effects include, seizures or tremors, Swelling in any part of the body, difficulty to breath, swallow or talk, rashes, hives, flu-like conditions, hallucinations (seeing or hearing voices that do not exist).

Ultram can also lead to other side effects, not mentioned here. Talk to your doctor if you experience any other problems during the course of treatment.

 

Discuss with your doctor if you are taking any other medication or have a history of other medical problems.

 

Using o ther medications can cause some problems when used along with Ultram. The drugs may any of the following:

* antifungal medications such as ketoconazole (Nizoral) etc

* digoxin (Lanoxin);

* antibiotics like erythromycin etc

* monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) etc

* Drug for anxiety, depressions, tricylic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil) etc

* Drugs for nausea

* Other pain relievers, sedatives; sleeping pills, tranquilizers

* muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) etc

* medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine (Tegretol )

* selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), etc

* warfarin (Coumadin).

* any other drug, not mentioned here, like vitamin supplements, herbal products etc, also can interact with Ultram. Therefore inform your doctor about any other medication that you are using.

 

Other medical problems. Inform your doctor if you have a history of other medical problems like,

* seizures or epilepsy,

* Head injury, a brain tumor, a stroke,

* Central nervous system infection,

* lung problems, diabetes, kidney problems, or liver disease,

* had or going to have any surgery in the near future,

* under depression, having self destructive thoughts,

* alcohol abuse or drug abuse,

* if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, or if you are breast-feeding.

 

Take precautions: as Ultram produces a sedative effect, avoid activities that need you to be alert, like driving etc. Avoid alcohol as this can increase the sedation and the side effects. Talk to your doctor if needed. Ultram may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up from a lying position. So, get out of bed slowly, rest your feet on the floor for a few minutes, and then stand up.

 

In case a dose is missed, it can be taken when one remembers. But if so much time has lapsed that the next dose is due then the missed can be skipped and the next dose must be taken. Double dose should not be taken

 

If overdosed, e mergency medical help is needed. Call the poison emergency centre. Overdose symptoms may manifest as shallow breathing, difficulty in breathing, decreased pupil size, severe drowsiness, fainting, coma, heart attack and convulsions or seizures.

 

Other uses for this medicine

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

 

Store the medicine out of reach of children. Store at ambient room temperature and in a damp free place. Do not use outdated medicine. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

 

For more information, ask your pharmacist or your doctor. Stick to your doctor’s advice.

 

The information we have provided here is just a guideline may be time sensitive. It is especially for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore we do not stand guarantee for uses outside of the United States.. This drug information recommend any specific therapy for a given patient.. This overview of the drug is only designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners and does not replace their expertise, skill, and judgment. It should not be assumed that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or suitable any given patient. We will not take the responsibility for any kind of outcome by the use of this information. The information given does not cover all possible outcomes of the medication like allergic reactions, or adverse effects. For further queries ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

 

 

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Any information found here is provided for general informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional.  You should not use any of the information found here to diagnose or treat a health issue or disease or to prescribe any medication. Always seek medical advice from a medical doctor. Never delay in seeing a health care professional about any questions you have